Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik releasing a book on the occasion of 54th Wildlife Week at Jaydev Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
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Bhubaneswar ( Orissa) : A State level function on the occasion of the 54th Wildlife Week was celebrated here at Jaydev Bhawan.
The Wildlife Week is celebrated in India every year from October 2, coinciding with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the function while H.S. Chahar-Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment Department, and Prof. Priyambada Mohanty-Hejmadi, former Vice-Chancellor, Sambalpur University were the Guest of Honours at the function.
B.K. Patnaik, the PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife warden welcomed the guests, and narrated about the various steps that were already taken and those planned for future for the management of wildlife and their habitat.
Chahar and Prof. Mohanty-Hejmadi, in their deliberations mentioned that for the survival of man-kind the protection of wildlife and their environment is essential.
Chahar in his address mentioned that the Govt. is planning to strengthen the research base in the Wildlife Organisation by developing mechanisms to motivate people and attract students towards wildlife research and conservation.
He was emphatic about the vision set for future that the wildlife management will become strong and so as professional in the coming years.
The Chief Minister solicited the co-operation of the people of Orissa for protection of habitats of wildlife.
Wildlife constitutes an integral part of our own environment, and the disappearance of any single species from the environment generates serious imbalance in the environment, he said.
For effective conservation of wildlife, the various steps that have been taken up by the Government for conservation of the forest habitat, the Chief Guest described reclamation of degraded forests and re-connecting the fragmented wildlife habitats.
The Chief Minister pleaded for showing love and compassion for all forms of wildlife and for preventing their extermination.
The Chief Minister also released a book on "Wildlife Census in Orissa" and three brochures on "Wildlife Scenario in Orissa", "Similipal" and "Satkosia Tiger Reserve" at the function.
The prestigious State level "Biju Patnaik award for wildlife conservation (2007-08)" was presented to the octogenarian Zoologist Prof. Basanta Kumar Behura for his lifetime contribution in wildlife.
Prof. Behura practiced wildlife as an integral part of studies on animals since 1962, and has produced milestones like "Frogs and Toads of Orissa-1966", "Snakes of Orissa-1967", "Wild mammals-1980", the translated Wildlife Protection Act (2007), etc.
The Biju Patnaik award for wildlife conservation carried a trophy, citation and Rs.2.00 lakhs award amount.
Winners of the State level competitions conducted under 'sit and draw' by junior and senior school children, wildlife photography and wildlife Oriya essay were also awarded at the function.
A large number of students, their parents, practicing foresters, retired forest officers, administrators, honorary wildlife wardens, media representatives and general public were present at the state level 54th Wildlife Week function.
