I was just reading a report in the paper about how celebrities in India have started adopting animals in the zoo and contribute towards their upkeep and maintenance. Following this even others have started showing interest in such a scheme. This brings in revenue to the zoo no doubt, but also gives a sense of participation to others. The sponsors of the animals get free passes to visit the zoo, they can name the animals or its offspring. Such attractive schemes make people feel they can also participate in some good cause. Above all it inculcates a sense of bonding in areas where we may think we have no role to play.
Then there is also a scheme where people can adopt trees in reserves and forests. This is another novel idea and now people have started thinking of doing such good acts especially when there is a family function, a birthday or an anniversary. What a fine thought it is to extend our sense of belonging to include Mother Nature in our life. These out of the box acts send positive signals to all members of the family that it is time to take ownership of the world around us rather than expecting governments and NGOs to do these kinds of things. We too as individuals can contribute to many such causes, there is no dearth of schemes only we need to have a heart that beats for other living beings in this planet. In the schools I visit in Kenya for tree planting, children are encouraged to adopt the trees, give them names and treat them as a family member. Only this will help us raise a generation of kids who feel for other species. The kids are excited and feel they are doing an important contribution. This should be encouraged.
