Friends Beyond Species – Society for Advancement of Animal and Environmental Welfare, NLU Odisha in collaboration with Humane Society International: India organized a two-day National Conference on Animal and Environmental Welfare, 2018 on the theme of Wildlife Conservation and Sustainability. The Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker for the event was Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Govt. of India.
During her address, Ms. Gandhi criticized the state of affairs with respect to the Odisha State Government taking no action against illegal cattle smuggling in the State, amongst various other environmental and animal protection issues. She also shared her wonderful experience through her official twitter handle (@manekagandhibjp)
[https://twitter.com/Manekagandhibjp/status/1044516367955685378
https://twitter.com/Manekagandhibjp/status/1044515834494771200
https://twitter.com/Manekagandhibjp/status/1044515831265165313]
The event also hosted eminent panelists such as Mr. N.G. Jayasimha, Managing Director of Humane Society International/India, Prof. Dr. Priyambada Hejmadi Mohanty, Biologist and Conservationist, Ms. Gauri Maulekhi, Animal Rights Activist, Mr. Sumanth Bindumadhav, Wildlife Conservationist, and Mr. Abhijay Negi, Environmental Activist. The Conference spanned over a period of two days (25 – 26 September, 2018) with four sessions and had participation, both paper presenters and attendees, from all over the country.
Links to the media coverage of Ms. Maneka Gandhi’s visit and her address:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/cuttack/maneka-gandhi-slams-odisha-govt-over-illegal-cattle-trade/articleshow/65955486.cms
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/odisha-govt-silent-on-cattle-smuggling–maneka.html
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/odisha-govt-doing-nothing-to-stop-cattle-smuggling-maneka-118092501130_1.html