Participation and Cooperation needed for sustainable development: S Regupathy
wildlife awards given today
The celebration of Wildlife Week is a small but an important step in our overall efforts to achieve the objective of protecting and conserving the flora and fauna of the country. Speaking at the Wildlife Week celebrations today, Sh S. Regupathy, Minister of State for Environment and Forests said that the focus of the celebration is to highlight the need for participation and cooperation from all strata of society in attaining the sustainable development. He further said that it is also an occasion to pledge as atrustee of mother earth to pass it on to our children in more livable, beautiful and with bountiful natural resources.
Referring to India’s distinct and unique position regarding its natural heritage and biodiversity, Sh Regupathy informed that 45000 species of plants and 81 thousand of animal species are found in our country. India is home to many charismatic species such as tiger, elephant, rhino to name few, he added. The Minister told that it is matter of pride and satisfaction that the traditions and cultural ethos have contributed to conservation, preservation and sustenance of wildlife. Highlighting ministry’s the efforts for protection and preservation of wild flora and fauna, Sh Regupathy informed that comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy and national wildlife action plan has been formulated. Technical and financial assistance is provided to states under various schemes to facilitate their efforts in protecting their wildlife habitats.
To accomplish the mammoth task of protecting and preserving wildlife ,the minister appeal for peoples participation and support, NGO’s, local communities and other stakeholders. On this occasion winners of Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award in the area of wildlife conservation and the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award in the field of wildlife protection were conferred. Dr Prakash Baba Amte and Sh Aseem Shrivastava were given jointly the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award for the year 2006.The Gujarat Ecological Education ans Research Foundation, Gujarat got this award in institution category for 2006.Sh Amte manages an “animal orphanage” at his Lok Biradari health project in Hemalkasa in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.He successfully urged tribals to refrain from killing animals for food. The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award is given every year for significant contribution in the field of wildlife which is recognised as having made or has the potential measurable and major impact on the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country. Two awards of Rs. 1,00,000/- each in cash, along with medallions trophy and citations, are given to Education and research institutions and organisations, and Forests and Wildlife Officers/research scholars or scientists/wildlife conservationists. A medallions is awarded in the individual category and a trophy in the institutional category.
Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society, Assam received the prestigious Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award. The volunteers of this organization have shown exemplary courage in saving the lives of numerous species of wildlife from the ire of poachers in the Manas National Park. This has helped sustainability in the recovery of the National Park. The Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award is given for significant contribution in the field of wildlife protection, which is recognised as having shown exemplary courage and valor or having done exemplary work for the protection of wildlife in the country. The award of Rs. One lakh cash, along with a medallion and citation is given to an individual / institution pertaining to rural communities involved inwildlife protection or to the community based organisation from rural areas, including Gram Sabha showing exemplary courage or valor for protection of wildlife.
The minister also gave away prizes to winners of painting and clay modeling us competitions. National Zoological Park organized various competitions for children.
KP
(Release ID :43432)