The Nature Conservation Society (NCS) organised the 2026 Wildlife Calendar Release Programme in Coimbatore on Friday, emphasising the urgent need for scientific planning, ethical responsibility and youth participation in wildlife conservation and human–wildlife coexistence.
The event brought together conservationists, forest officials, media professionals, academicians, students and environmental activists, creating a strong forum for discussion on ecological balance and sustainable development.
The programme began with a welcome address by Aravindan Soundararajan, Managing Director of Clusters Media College, who highlighted the role of education and media in building public awareness on environmental protection and wildlife issues.
Delivering the special address, Ashoken of WWF India spoke on the close interdependence between humans, forests and wildlife. He explained that healthy ecosystems ensure clean air, water and climate stability, and warned that wildlife entering human settlements is largely a result of habitat loss caused by unplanned development.
Chief Guest Suchet Balkal, IFS, Assistant Conservator of Forests, addressed the growing challenge of human–wildlife conflict and stressed that animals follow traditional corridors that must be protected through scientific solutions and community participation.
Special Guest Kishore Muthuramalingam, film director, urged youth and content creators to avoid sensationalism and use media responsibly to promote coexistence.
In his event address, Udhayakumar, retired Deputy Transport Commissioner, spoke on the importance of law, ethics and public discipline in wildlife protection.
The highlight of the programme was the release of the 2026 Wildlife Calendar, featuring photographs by Nidhiyan Maniarasu.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by N. I. Jalaluddin, President and Founder of the Nature Conservation
Society.
