Education and outreach are perhaps the most appropriate tools to sensitise people and prepare future generations to the need of conservation and habitat protection.
Awareness for Conservation is, therefore, designed as the Campaigns arm of WTI to create awareness for specific issues creating spaces in public minds for favorable reactions to chosen subjects.
Whale shark as city mascot
Some of the most successful conservation campaigns in India have been run by this division. For example, Save the Whale Shark campaign has been successful in persuading the government to mark it on the public calendar by declaring an annual Whale Shark Day, the only one of its kind for any species in India.
The Say No to Shahtoosh campaign aimed at conserving the Tibetan antelope and raising public awareness against the sale of Shahtoosh shawls made of wool extracted after killing this endangered animal. The campaign led to lower demands in the national and international markets and development of viable alternatives.
The Tibetan Conservation Awareness Campaign, launched by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, has evoked an emotional response from the Tibetan community, which has begun giving up using illegal animal products and publicly burnt their dresses lined with tiger, leopard and other furs.
Burning Skins: Tibetans in India and China burn dresses lined with animal skins following His Holiness message
Strong Message: His holiness, the Dalai Lama at the launch of the Tibetan Conservation Awareness Campaign
