World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration held on March 3rd to raise awareness of wildlife conservation. &TV artists hope to promote a global system and its preservation by talking about their favourite wild animals and their experiences encountering them on a forest safari. These include Aayudh Bhanushali (Krishna, Doosri Maa), Himani Shivpuri (Katori Amma, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Rohitashv Gour (Manmohan Tiwari, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai). Aayudh Bhanushali essaying Krishna in &TV’s Doosri Maa, says, ” I love the king of the jungle, ‘Lion’. Lions have been the symbol of strength, nobility, and power for many cultures. I used to spend hours watching a documentary about him on television. To date, Simba-The Lion King is my favourite cartoon. I have a huge collection of Lion pictures which I carved out of my old books, posters, and chart papers. Recently, I visited Gujarat’s Gir Forest with my family to see him in person. I consider that sight as the most memorable moment of my life. I remember not sleeping the night before in the excitement that I was about to witness the most powerful creature on earth. After arriving early in the morning, we spent several hours trying to find him but could not. After a while, I began crying out of disappointment, and my mother and other family members got busy consoling me, forgetting that we were hunting for the Lion (laughs). However, after a while, we finally saw the Lion. Seeing him from our jeep, I was ecstatic that I had forgotten to take his pictures. I have no regrets since I found out who I wanted to meet and wish to visit them again.”
Himani Shivpuri, essaying Katori Amma in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, says, “I come from Uttarakhand, which has beautiful wildlife species and a sanctuary where people can spot their favourite creatures. However, I would like to share an experience with a snake nearby. I love snakes and find them beautiful. I was young and playing with a few friends in our backyard. Suddenly, we spotted a snake there in the late evening. It was a huge snake, and everyone started running out of fear. However, keeping a distance from the animal, I watched closely for its next move. As a child, you have that innocence and curiosity to see things that might have a dangerous outcome. My initial reaction was similar, but I became mesmerized by the beauty of that snake after seeing it so closely. In no time, it moved ahead. I returned home and shared the incident with my mother. And the response I received from her was not to play there again (laughs). I know her concern was my safety, but to reveal to you all, I visited there many times to see if it was still around. Besides that, I have visited various wildlife refuges around the world. It is one of the most exciting and relaxing things to do, especially since you are surrounded by nature simultaneously. In honour of this day, I urge people to provide them with a safe environment so that their existence is preserved.” Rohitashv Gour, essaying Manmohan Tiwari in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, says, “During my college days, I had a group of friends who were very enthusiastic about watching animals. Since I come from Himachal Pradesh, which holds a lot of wildlife sanctuaries, I always had a lot of stories to tell them. Since my childhood, I have had many trips to these sanctuaries with my family and school trips. But I remember a safari that rekindled my interest in seeing those beautiful animals in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh. I visited there with my friends to see a white tiger. Seeing a white tiger in this distance was my first experience, and I was lost in his beauty as if he were walking on a ramp. A tiger safari is always filled with surprises and joy; one must surely participate in it once in a lifetime. By protecting wild tigers and their habitats, we also save thousands of living organisms, including ourselves. I urge everyone not to destroy any natural habitat and find some substitute solution for our growth and development.”
Watch Doosri Maa at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!
