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5 Reasons Why National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are So Important

National parks and wildlife sanctuaries help keeping the wildlife safe and secure

In the modern, overpopulated world the need for dedicated space for wildlife is increasingly important. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected spaces for nature help conserve the natural world and benefit us all in many ways. Whether a National Park is giving someone space to walk and exercise, or a wildlife sanctuary is promoting conservation, these places play an important role in society. Here we look at some of the benefits:

What is a National Park?

A National Park is a natural space that is dedicated for the purposes of conservation, recreation, and protection. Different countries have their own national parks and the designation of national parks across the globe depends on each individual country’s system and judgement. But most national parks have similar aims – to conserve wild nature in order to protect it for the future as well as allow people the chance to enjoy it. National parks are often a symbol of national pride. Most national parks are open to the public and provide opportunities for recreation, camping, and walking. Most national parks have an outstanding level of natural beauty, whether the beauty comes from mountains, lakes, rivers or plains.

What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

Animal sanctuaries exist for many specific reasons, but the overriding reason is to help protect animals and safeguard their lives. Animal sanctuaries give new homes to abandoned animals and animals rescued from dangerous conditions, help to protect animals from illegal activities, and serve as places where endangered animals breed and are therefore protected. Animals in animal sanctuaries cannot be responsibly returned to their natural habitats as they are not fit enough for the wild, or their habitat has been destroyed. A sanctuary is a haven, a place where animals can be protected.

What are the Benefits of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries?

National Parks Help Protect Wildlife

Unfortunately many animal species today face extinction, mainly because their natural habitats are being steadily destroyed. National parks safeguard these habitats, and provide a safe space for wildlife to breed and survive. Without national parks certain animal species are at greater risk of becoming extinct – a landscape needs to be protected in order to provide habitat for wildlife. Animal sanctuaries give a specific place where animals are kept in captivity in order to preserve the species.

National Parks Help Protect Landscapes

Animals are not the only things that are at risk of disappearing. Land forms like mountains, rain forests, gorges and dunes are at risk of disappearing.  If they are not protected from the actions of humans and also the natural action of the environment. Many land forms are at risk from pollution, and when they are controlled under national park status they have a better chance of survival. Land forms in national parks are protected from development, destruction, and pollution.

Parks and Sanctuaries Preserve History

Historical structures built on national park land are preserved in order to give us a better idea of how people lived in the past, and how their cultures worked. There are many different structures that can be preserved which allow people to learn from the past and continue building for the future.

Helping Preserve Cultures and Tribes

In many national parks around the world people live generally apart from main civilization.  Their culture and members are largely protected thanks to the status of the national park. By setting up protected areas, tribes and indigenous peoples who would otherwise struggle in the face of development are protected from these actions. National parks not only protect animals and wildlife, they can also sometimes protect people too. Tribes like the Bushmen or SAN people of Southern Africa.

Giving People the Chance for Healthy Activity

National parks and  wildlife sanctuaries also exist to provide  with the space for healthy exercise and recreation in the open air. It is important to conserve places where the natural environment is intact.  So that people can slow down, enjoy nature, and get some exercise by walking, running, or riding bikes.

Happiness comes from within and doing good makes one feel part of something or someone.  Protecting our wildlife all around the world, provides pleasure, gratitude and so much more.

 

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. –  Dalai Lama

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