BHOPAL: Efforts should be made to ensure harmony between human beings and wild animals. Active public support is the basic need for the conservation of wildlife.

Forests and wildlife could not be saved without protecting the interests of forest dwellers and ensuring their participation in this act, said governor Ram Naresh Yadav, while addressing the concluding function of Wildlife Conservation Week here on Sunday.

Yadav said development works in villages adjacent to the wildlife sanctuaries should be done so that dependency of people and domesticated animals on forests should be reduced.

He said merely law could not change the mentality of the society and there was need to create sensitivity, awareness and affection towards wildlife in young generation and in all sections of the society.

Yadav appreciated the efforts of the state government in Panna Tiger Reserve and three other tiger reserves of the state for getting awards from the Central government.

As many as 38 officials and employees of forest department were felicitated by the governor for wildlife safety and management during the year 2011-12.

The students who have secured positions in various competitions held during the Wildlife Week at Van Vihar national park were also awarded on the occasion.