Chandigarh, October 2, 2026: The Department of Forest & Wildlife, UT Chandigarh, inaugurated the week-long Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations with a walkathon organised on the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”, emphasising the importance of protecting natural habitats, maintaining ecological connectivity and fostering greater public participation in wildlife conservation.

The walkathon commenced from the Regulatory End of Sukhna Lake and culminated near the Chandigarh Bird Park, passing through the picturesque Lake Reserve Forest. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from hundreds of NSS volunteers, students, nature enthusiasts, representatives of NGOs, members of civil society and officers of the Chandigarh Administration. The participation reflected the growing interest and collective commitment of the community towards protecting Chandigarh’s rich natural heritage and wildlife.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh, Shri Hiriadka Rajesh Prasad emphasized, “Chandigarh’s rich natural heritage thrives because of our continuous commitment to habitat protection and ecological balance. Connecting our natural corridors and fostering active community involvement are essential steps toward ensuring that our urban environment coexists harmoniously with wildlife for generations to come.”

A key highlight of the inaugural programme was the release of the “Survey Report of Wildlife of UT Chandigarh”, presenting the findings of the wildlife census undertaken in the Union Territory. The report provides important information on the diversity and distribution of wildlife in Chandigarh and is expected to serve as a valuable reference for scientific conservation planning, habitat management and future wildlife monitoring.

The Department also released “PAHAL”, a magazine focusing on Proactive and Healthy Lifestyle, promoting awareness about healthy living, environmental consciousness and sustainable practices. The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee Bulletin, documenting various initiatives and activities undertaken by the Committee in the area of environmental protection and pollution control, was also released on the occasion.
The Department also acknowledged and felicitated the notable contributions of Ms. Gitanjali Kanwar, Senior Coordinator, WWF; Shri Kulbhushan Kanwar; and Shri Vikram Jit Singh for their sustained contribution to the field of wildlife conservation and environmental awareness.

The Department of Forest & Wildlife has planned a range of activities throughout the week to engage students, citizens, nature enthusiasts and other stakeholders in wildlife conservation. These include a Butterfly Walk at Butterfly Park, Bird Watching at City Forest and Sukhna Choe Forest, Painting, Drawing and Quiz Competitions at the Botanical Garden, Nukkad Natak and Awareness Camps, besides other educational and outreach programmes.

The Wildlife Week celebrations aim to create greater awareness about Chandigarh’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems while encouraging citizens to actively participate in their protection. The Department has emphasised that conservation of wildlife is closely linked with conservation of habitats and that collective community participation is essential for ensuring healthy ecosystems and a sustainable future.

The celebrations will continue throughout the week with a series of educational, cultural and nature-based activities aimed at strengthening the connection between people and nature and promoting a culture of responsible environmental stewardship in Chandigarh.

The event was graced by Shri Hiriadka Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh, as the Chief Guest, while Shri KAP Sinha, Chief Secretary, Punjab, attended as the Special Guest, and Shri Mandip Singh Brar, Secretary, Forests, as the Guest of Honour. Shri Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary; Shri Sourabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT Chandigarh; Shri Amit Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; Shri Anup Kumar Soni, Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, UT Chandigarh; Shri Swapnil Naik, Secretary Personnel; Shri Satyendra Morya, Deputy Conservator of Forests, along with other senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration, also participated in the programme.