Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 12: The one-week compulsory training course on Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of Island Ecosystem for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officers gets underway on 11th November 2024 at TSG Emerald View by Zoological Survey of India, A & N Regional Centre. The training is sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
This training course enrolled by 21 senior level Indian Forest Officers (IFS) from various States & Union Territory (AGMUT, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odhisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Benga, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Haryana). The present course is designed, both class room exercise and field practical. There are four different sessions and seven talks on the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of Island Ecosystem. The trainees, will visit Swaraj Dweep to study the conservation and management of Rani Jhansi Marine National Park and ecotourism management; Baratang to understand the Integrated Management of Coastal and Marine Protected Areas and Mangrove Ecosystem; Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor to study the conservation and management of Marine National Parks; Field study is also planned for hands on field experience on intertidal marine biodiversity and visit to the Chidiyatappu Biological Park.
The five-day training course inaugurated by Shri. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), A & N Islands as a Chief Guest. Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India; Shri. M.S. Negi, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Arunachal Pradesh & Former PCCF, A & N Islands; Shri. Hari Shankar Upadhyay, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha was a Special Guests. Besides the participants, the inaugural programme was attended by the officials from the Department of Environment & Forests; A & N Command; Pondicherry University; Botanical Survey of India; Andaman & Nicobar Police Forensic Unit; Association of Andaman Tour Operator.
In his inaugural address, Shri. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, highlighted about the importance of the training programme, and welcomed the participants of the one-week compulsory training, and briefed the objectives. He also highlighted that the first priority is to add to your knowledge. All of you are highly qualified people and who have come through national level, who have completed your examinations, and after that also you do many academic scores in forest service, because forest service in both professional and administrative. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are rich in biodiversity resources, and covering 87 percent of the geographical areas is covered with tropical forests and this training programme is an opportunity to interact with fellow trainees and see the beauty of this archipelago. There are two ways of acquiring knowledge, one is by studying and attending classes. The other is through interaction. Because of the experience, the people have different type of knowledge and you can learn from talking to them what are the things they are doing in different states this one week will provide you that opportunity. He wished all the participants for successful training.