BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday emphasised on the growing need for creating livelihood options around wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and other protected areas (PAs) to reduce the pressure on forests and wildlife. Addressing a function to mark the 57th Wildlife Week Celebration, organised by Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department, Naveen said eco-tourism can play a crucial role in creating employment and other income-generating opportunities. While some of the better-known PAs such as Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, Kuladiha, Konark-Balukhand, Chandaka and Chilika have such avenues, the Chief Minister said the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), which has eco-tourism as a component, will give a further boost to the objective. Expressing concern over the rapid urbanisation, which is eating into wildlife habitats, the Chief Minister felt that the loss has to be compensated through creation of more such habitats. Naveen expressed satisfaction that the population of elephants, blackbucks, saltwater crocodiles and migratory birds is rising in the State but underscored the need to address the man-elephant conflict. The State Government has identified 14 elephant corridors as part of habitat improvement measure. He also informed that the Government has hiked the compensation package for loss of human lives, damage to crops and houses. Marking the occasion, Naveen also gave away the Biju Patnaik Award for 2010-11 for excellent work in wildlife conservation to Dr Laxmi Narayan Acharya and Prasanna Kumar Behera. The award carries ` 1 lakh in cash and a citation. During the State-level function, meritorious school students also were given away prizes for winning different competitions. As many as 13 students received the awards. One of them, Archita Satpathy, set an example by announcing to donate her prize money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Satpathy, a Class V student of MCL DAV School at Burla, was asked by Naveen what she was going to do with the prize. Pat came her reply, ‘’I want to use it for helping the flood-affected’’. The Chief Minister lauded the little girl for the gesture. The function was attended by Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Forest Secretary Aurabindo Behera, PCCF (Wildlife) JD Sharma and CCF (Wildlife) SS Srivastava.
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