Among the recipients of the awards were: a Mumbai-based cobbler, Kamlabai Shinde; Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Maneka Gandhi; an organisation called Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA); Satya Priya Gautam; Sally Walker and Soumen Biswas (posthumously).

Shinde, who has been running an animal shelter in Mumbai for many years, got the Venu Menon Animal Allies Award comprising a citation, a statuette and Rs 25,000. The Venu Menon Lifetime Achievement Award, comprising a citation and a statuette was conferred to Gandhi for her work in the field of animal welfare.

CUPA, an organisation known for its work in the field of animal welfare, received the Special Organisation Award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 15,000, a citation and a statuette.

Gautam, a teenager from a town near the Corbett National Park, received the Venu Menon Young Achievers Award comprising Rs 5,000 cash, a statuette and a citation for launching a nature club in 1995. The club has made contribution towards saving the lives of many animals in the last four years. The Jury's Special Award carrying a cash prize of Rs 5,000 cash, a citation and a statuette went to Walker for her contribution towards improving conditions in Indian zoos.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Award was posthumously conferred on Biswas for devoting his life to fighting for the protection of wildlife in the area. The award carries Rs 20,000, a citation and a statuette.

These awards were selected out of 200 entries from all over the country by a seven-member jury, which included famous author and Padamshree awardee Ruskin Bond; noted environmentalist Iqbal Malik; vice president of the Wildlife Protection Society of India Ashok Kumar; renowned painter and writer Bulbul Sharma; former Miss India and a member of the Bangalore Chapter of People for Animals Nafisa Joseph; chairman of MAA Communications Bunty Peerbhoy; and the Venu Menon Foundation trustee and senior technical consultant, Vivek Menon.

Speaking on the occasion, Gujral said that environmental pollution was posing a grave problem for humanity. He said that while the government ``could and should'' do something to check this, the efforts by non-governmental organisations in this direction would go a long way in improving the situation.

Gandhi said: ``Animals are not meant for our service or to be our subordinates. They are a nation in themselves and we have to care for them''.