Wildlife clubs march to support biodiversity
Around 300 students, club leaders, teachers and parents , some of the children from the Montessori pre-school as young as three, turned up at the National Sports Council (ex-SMB) hall in costume and with banners urging everyone to appreciate the importance of biodiversity.
With 2010 being International Year of Biodiversity, the event took place under its theme – Biodiversity is Life, Biodiversity is Our Life – and this year’s national theme Together, Ready for the Future.
Sponsored by the Environment Trust Fund, the Department of Environment and the Seychelles Islands Foundation, the rally was organised by Sustainability for Seychelles, a non-governmental organisation.
One of its representatives, Michelle Martin, said the aim was to promote various aspects of biodiversity and celebrate their commitment to nature and to conservation initiatives.
“This rally forms part of the wildlife clubs’ contribution to a range of activities coordinated by the Department of Environment,” she said.
“Our society will only truly flourish and develop sustainably if we can balance development with protection of the environment and biodiversity, which supports us all,” she said.
“Today the number of children and adults present has exceeded our expectations, and we are happy with their support.”
The group marched from the front of the exhibition hall, then circled the fitness trail and exhibition areas.
They later hosted a stall featuring fibre-craft artists from Takamaka, who helped visitors try their hand at making crafts from natural fibres.
The aim of this activity was to show how to use our biodiversity sustainably while maintaining cultural traditions and improving livelihoods.
“The wildlife clubs are also working on their biodiversity projects and putting an emphasis on wetlands, which are in focus this year,” said Ms Martin.
She added that besides having all the wildlife club members rally for the same cause, the event was a chance for them to see that they are part of a much bigger group than just their school, and how they fit into a national network.