New Delhi, Jul 28 (UNI) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the highlands created in the state of Assam as a part of environment conservation has helped wild animals during the floods.
' We created highlands in parts of Assam where the rhinos and other living beings came during floods which saved them from rising water,' Mr Javadekar said in is address on the eve of International Tiger Day.
'Protecting the animals and creatures is part of our culture', he said, adding that 'we Indians understand and consider them as part of our lives, and believe its our duty to protect them.'
On human-wildlife conflicts, he said a number of humans die in it every year. 'Despite this, in our distant villages which are in close proximity to the forests. People do not consider killing animals to save their crops, rather think about improving the quality and conserving forests so that water and food is available for the animals in their natural habitat in abundance and they do not have to come out of their place looking for it,' he said.
India, with more than 70 per cent of the global Tiger population, will take up the role of a leader in conservation of the big cat and provide guidance, capacity building measures, training and other support to all the 13 Tiger range countries.
He also said that despite having just 2.5 per cent of the world's total land mass, India has 8 per cent of the globe's bio-diversity and it is because of the culture that teaches co existence and respect for trees and animals, that despite having such limited resources people preserve the faura and fauna with heart.
' No where else, have I seen people worshipping trees and animals,' the Minister added saying that environment conservation is a part of our culture.
'We have over 30,000 elephants, 3,000 plus single horn rhinos, more than 500 lions and good amount of other diverse species,' he said.
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