"Let us take a pledge to protect and preserve wildlife.Let us show zero-tolerance to illegal trade in wildlife and make a difference," Patnaik said at a function organised here on the occasion of the World Environment Day.

The state government is taking all possible steps to protect and preserve wildlife through a Wildlife Crime Control Cell which is functioning in Bhubaneswar, he said adding due to joint efforts of Wildlife Wing and CID, Crime Branch, illegal trade has been checked to a great extent.

Public awareness campaigns involving the local communities and voluntary organisations are being organised towards this end, he said.

Noting that the theme for this year's Environment Day is "Illegal Trade in Wildlife," the Chief minister said it has been chosen in order to generate awareness against mindless killing of wildlife and illegal trade of their body parts.

Stating that the world is dealing with unprecedented spike in illegal trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains, Patnaik said "we share the earth with millions of different species of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms."

Every part of the planet is connected directly or indirectly with our life. When species are lost, ecosystems cannot function properly and the lives of all associated partners, including human being, would be disturbed, he said.

The chief minister also congratulated 217 'Prakruti Mitra' and 205 'Prakruti Bandhu' awardees who are doing outstanding work in the field of environment protection and conservation.