Dimapur, June 22 (MExN): A two-day wildlife crime investigation workshop for 45 forest officers, jointly organised by TRAFFIC, India, Nagaland Forest Department, and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, was inaugurated by CM Chang, Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Nagaland at the conference hall of Forest Offices Complex, Dimapur on June 22.
In his address, Chang stated that awareness is still needed in Nagaland. Noting that most of the forest areas are owned by the communities in the State, he said community led conservation programs through the Forest Department therefore are important without undermining present legal provisions. In this light, there is a need to build capacities of Forest Department in investigation techniques, he added, according to a press release from Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland. On the occasion, Chang also released TRAFFIC’s newsletter TRAFFIC Post.
I Panger Jamir, IFS, PCCF & HoFF, Nagaland, who chaired the programme, highlighted a need of capacity building programs such as the current one as the State is still in its infancy in tackling illegal wildlife crime. He also suggested regular training programs within the Forest curriculum especially for wildlife investigation and have a branch of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau in Dimapur to tackle the growing menace of illegal wildlife crime.
Sushil Kumar Patel, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur stated in his speech impetus of conservation is shown through the initiative undertaken by the Forest Department and local communities in the conservation of the Amur Falcon. Pointing out that the role of Forest Officers is quite difficult with the growing challenges of wildlife crime every day, he said the workshop will lay further foundations to creating effective ways in tackling wildlife crime.
Dr. Saket Badola, IFS, Head TRAFFIC, India stated that wildlife forms part of the natural resource and forms wellbeing of the communities. India, he informed, is a source country from which many species are traded through various routes out of India. Nagaland situated at a critical junction near demand sites and with porous borders makes illegal wildlife trade quite easy, he noted. To combat this, Badola stated, there is a need to enable Forest Department and work with communities in creating an enabling situation which can then reduce wildlife crime within the State.
Agni Mitra, IFS, Regional Deputy Director (Eastern Region), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Kolkata meanwhile stated that it is the priority and prerogative of every individual to work towards reducing wildlife crime. Enhancing skill sets of Nagaland Forest Department is important as critical steps have been initiated by the Forest Department, he said, adding the workshop will lend further impetus to the cause towards combating wildlife crime.
