Community-Led Conservation Of Wildlife | Lakshitha D | TEDxYouth@SSVM

There is an ongoing conflict between wildlife and humans in India. Wild animals, particularly elephants, leopards, monkeys, wild boars etc., frequently attack human settlements, kill livestock and destroy agricultural crops. Himachal Pradesh, a state of India, declared rhesus macaque monkeys as ‘vermin’, allowing the state forest department to cull them to prevent crop depredation, conflict with humans and loss of property. The farmers in Kerala state demand the government to declare wild boars as vermin. Ironically, this happens in a country that holds the philosophy and prayer that everything in this universe, living or non-living, should live in perfect peace, happiness and harmony. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by SSVM Institutions.
Lakshitha, a Grade 10 student from SSVM School of Excellence, is trained in martial arts and combat sports. She has secured several positions in Taekwondo and Kickboxing competitions. She considers the conservation of wildlife an urgent agenda. Her inspiring conservation stories about animal rehabilitation sparked curiosity in many students in her school community. She considers animal research in neuroscience as a career pathway to study ethology and evolution. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx