“Due to joint efforts of the wildlife wing and the CID, Crime Branch, illegal trade has been checked to a great extent. Public awareness campaigns, involving local communities and voluntary organisations, are being organised for protection and conservation of wildlife and to check their illegal trade,” said Mr. Patnaik while addressing the State-level celebration of the World Environment Day here.

He said the government was taking all possible steps to protect and preserve wildlife through wildlife crime control cell, which is functioning at Bhubaneswar with an objective to take pro-active measures to prevent illegal trade and commerce in wild flora and fauna.

“Disappearance of iconic species such as elephants, tigers or sea turtles would be a disaster for conservation efforts. Even loss of any species, at a local level, is an erosion of the bio-diversity that underpins the natural systems upon which we all depend for our food security, medicines, fresh air, water, shelter and a clean and healthy environment,” Mr. Patnaik said.

Over 400 activists were presented Prakruti Mitra and Prakruti Bandhu awards for contribution to environment protection and preservation.

Among others, Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha and departmental secretary Suresh Mohapatra spoke on the occasion.

Celebrating the World Environment Day, the Eastern Region NTPC emphasised on mass plantation to negate adverse impact of pollution. Director (Finance) Kulmani Biswal said vast consumption of natural resources was resulting in global warming and as a threat to survival of flora and fauna.