International Day of Happiness
In 2012, the United Nations (UN) declared March 20 to be observed as the International Day of Happiness.
Aim
The day recognizes that happiness is a fundamental human
goal, and calls upon countries to approach public policies in ways that
improve the well-being of all peoples.
By designating a special day for happiness, the UN aims to focus
world attention on the idea that economic growth must be inclusive,
equitable, and balanced, such that it promotes sustainable development,
and alleviates poverty. Additionally the UN acknowledges that in order
to attain global happiness, economic development must be accompanied by
social and environmental well-being.
Background
The initiative to declare a day of happiness came from Bhutan
– a country whose citizens are considered to be some of the happiest
people in the world. The Himalayan Kingdom has championed an alternative
measure of national and societal prosperity, called the Gross National
Happiness Index (GNH). The GNH rejects the sole use of economic and
material wealth as an indicator of development, and instead adopts a
more holistic outlook, where spiritual well-being of citizens and
communities is given as much importance as their material well-being.
World Sparrow Day 2017
World Sparrow Day is celebrated on March 20, 2017. World Sparrow Day is a day designated to raise awareness of the House Sparrow and other common birds to urban environments, and of threats to their populations. It is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world.
The idea of marking a World Sparrow Day came up during an informal discussion at the Nature Forever Society's office. The idea was to earmark a day for the House Sparrow to convey the message of conservation of the House Sparrow and other common birds and also mark a day of celebration to appreciate the beauty of the common biodiversity which is taken so much for granted. The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010 in different parts of the world.
World Sparrow Day also has a broader vision to provide a platform where people who are working on the conservation of the House Sparrow and other common birds can network, collaborate and exchange conservation ideas which will lead to better science and improved results.
The House Sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. Because of its numbers, ubiquity and association with human settlements, the sparrow is culturally prominent.
