By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 5, 2015 : Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday sought participation of local people and stakeholder for conservation of wildlife in the state.

“The involvement and active participation of local people and other stake holders is important for the success of any conservation programme”, he emphasized. Patnaik endorsed the efforts of eco-development committees and vana surakhya samitis to conserve wildlife and their habitat.

He was speaking at the State level function to celebrate Wildlife Week here. “Impact of development projects and man-animal conflict are some of the major challenges to wildlife conservation,” he remarked asserting that the State government is committed to the cause of wildlife conservation.

Patnaik informed that an extensive network of protected areas in the form of two national parks and 19 sanctuaries along with tiger reserves and three elephant reserves have been established in the State.

He underscored the need for deployment of squads and prompt payment of compassionate grants in case of man-animal conflicts. “This is the responsibility of field staff which has been included in the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012”, the CM said.

Referring to the role of Nandankanan Zoological Park, Patnaik said the Park had been a torch-bearer in conservation breeding programmes such as that for tiger, Indian Pangolin, mouse deer and Gyps vultures. He stressed the need for skill upgradation of field staff of the wildlife organization to incorporate appropriate modern techniques for effective wildlife management in Odisha.

On the occasion, Satrughna Rout was conferred the coveted Biju Patnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation. The award comprised a cheque of Rs two lakh, citation, shawl and a memento.