Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 5: In a significant step towards enhancing Wildlife Conservation efforts, the Biological Park, Chidiyatapu successfully conducted a one-day capacity building program on ‘Safe Handling, Rescue and Rehabilitation Techniques of Crocodiles’ for Forester Trainees today as part of 71st Wildlife Week Celebration. This capacity building program was aimed at equipping frontline forest personnel with essential skills and protocols to manage human crocodile conflict while ensuring the safety of both Wildlife and the public.
The event was graced by Dr. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), as the chief guest, Shri Ashwin J Parihar, Divisional Forest Officer (SA) and other officers of the Department. Addressing the Forester trainees, the chief guest emphasized the critical role of frontline staff in conservation and conflict mitigation. He further added that handling a salt water crocodile demands courage, skill, compassion and every rescue they perform is safeguarding biodiversity and building trust between nature and community.
An animated awareness video to combat Wildlife crimes in A&N Islands prepared by South Andaman Division was also released by the chief guest on this occasion. This initiative reinforces the Departments commitment to Wildlife Conservation, Human Wildlife conflict management and enhancing the operational readiness of Forest staffs in one of the India’s most ecologically sensitive coastal regions.
The capacity building programme conducted in coordination with staff of Wildlife Division, Haddo concluded with trainees expressing commitment to applying skills and knowledge gained in real world scenarios. The Deputy Director, Biological Park, reaffirmed its dedication to continuous capacity building and strengthening field level response for Wildlife Conservation in A&N Islands.