MUMBAI: Commemorating the 66th year of India?s Independence, Animal Planet will celebrate country?s wildlife and natural diversity through a month-long programming slot ?Yeh Mera India?.

From 15 August, every night at 8 pm, the special programming lineup will rejoice the country?s iconic and enchanting wildlife, epic landscapes and colourful natural beauty.

To mark the celebration, Animal Planet will also launch Yeh Mera India Anthem, a three minute multi-lingual song, composed and performed by renowned music personalities like Lesle Lewis, Shaan, Mathangi and Monali.

The one-hour slot will take viewers on an enthralling journey through India, from the Himalayan Mountains, down the mighty River Ganges, and across to the lost world of the North East, to explore its iconic wildlife, secret locations and exotic terrains.

The Anthem is a tribute to the fantastic wildlife of India which will fascinate the youth of India. Composed by one of India?s finest music composers Lesle Lewis, the anthem is sung by singers Shaan, Mathangi and Monali who have lend their voice to epitomise and celebrate the exuberance of India?s rich wildlife. This anthem cheers for the spirit of freedom in three most widely spoken languages of the country: Hindi, Tamil and Bangla, blending music and visuals.

Discovery South Asia senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, ?India has snow-capped mountains, deserts, forests, wetlands and fertile plains, and its climate ranges from temperate to tropical monsoon. ?Yeh Mera India? is an initiative to celebrate the country?s natural world enriched with varied environments and unique wildlife. I am sure this small initiative from Animal Planet will act as a catalyst to bring awareness amongst audience and sensitise them towards the protection of Indian wildlife and its habitat. The channel intersperses dedicated programming with most popular form of entertainment ? music.?

The song composer, Lesle Lewis said, ?Animal Planet is the one-stop destination for wildlife enthusiasts. I am proud to be associated with the channel for this initiative and hope that the song creates awareness amongst people and sensitise them towards the amazing fauna of our country.?

Shaan said, ?Music is the strongest medium which entertains and connects people from diverse social and linguistic backgrounds. I am glad Animal Planet has chosen this medium to reach out to viewers to celebrate the essence of freedom of animals.?

Within India?s borders are some of the most charismatic animals on the planet, including lions, tigers, lesser pandas, camels and elephants. It is also home to a bounty of distinctly Indian species such as cobras, chinkaras, blue bulls and a variety of leaf-eating monkeys called langurs. the slot follows the flow of the Ganges, from the glaciers of the world?s highest mountains, the Himalayas, to the largest bay in the world, the Bay of Bengal.

Viewers can find out why this river is a lifeline to an array of wild animals, including India?s rare one-horned rhinoceros, as well as eight per cent of the world?s population. Head high into the Himalayas to find out how its hostile terrain, powerful winds and sub-zero temperatures support one of the largest and most diverse collections of creatures on the planet, including man.

The slot also travels into a lost world, home to head-hunting tribes, tiger-infested forests, unclimbed mountains and pristine rivers. Visit Thar Desert and discover how this harsh environment supports both humans, and some of the toughest and rarest creatures on earth.

There is also a journey into the Western Ghats, a spine of mountains stretching for a thousand miles along India?s west coast, thought to be one of the most bio-diverse places in the world. On one side, tropical rainforests thrive, and explode with life, including the endangered lion-tailed macaque, whilst on the eastern side, tigers and wild dogs compete for prey in its dry forests.