Bhubaneswar, September 14: More than Rs 35 crore has been released to Odisha by the Centre between 2019 and 2021 under centrally sponsored schemes for tiger and elephant conservation in the State, informed Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday.
“Odisha, one of the most richly endowed States in biodiversity has witnessed a direct impact of these conservation efforts. Project Tiger and Project Elephant are addressing the threat of poaching and helping these majestic species thrive in their natural habitat,” said the Union Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a series of tweets.
Pradhan who belongs to Odisha wrote that consistent efforts towards environmental sustainability and conservation of wildlife under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stewardship of Union Forests and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has become a trailblazer for the revival of endangered animal species, like tigers and elephants in India.
“Modi Government’s consistent efforts are ensuring that tigers continue to roar in the jungle. To conserve and protect elephants and mitigate elephant-human conflict, efforts to nurture traditional compassion and tolerance in people living in and around elephant habitats is also being encouraged,” wrote Pradhan.
“Key initiatives undertaken by Modi Government, including efforts to increase forest cover, compensatory afforestation, national clean air programme, green skill development programmes, etc, are helping create a nature-friendly eco-system and generating new opportunities for our youths,” the Union Minister wrote.
