"Since everything cannot be governmental, these efforts by various organisations, discussing important issues from across the world, are crucial for the welfare of animals," Javadekar said.
He was addressing 'Minding Animals Conference' hosted by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
"The conference will initiate a very good discussion on animal studies and give us inputs for protection of animals and making the coexistence of humans and animals an easy proposition," he said.
"We do not protect animals instead animals protect us. We are the largest exporter of leather and because of that we have lost the Ganga river.
"The river dies the moment it enters Kanpur because hundreds of poisonous chemicals are released into it by leather tanneries in the city," she added.
