On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture with a message "Save us" at Puri sea beach in Odisha.
The 5-ft high sand sculpture depicts wild animals and forest areas. The artist said he used about three tons of sand to complete the sculpture.
Pattnaik said he created the art work in a bid to create awareness about the importance of nature and the need to save wild life and their habitat.
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness on benefits that their conservation provides to people, he said.
"At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts," said Pattnaik.
Sudarsan who has so far participated in more than 50 International sand sculpture championships and festivals around the World and won many prizes for India, tries to spread social messages through his sand art.
