Officials from the Forest Department wildlife wing with the team from Wildlife Institute of India.
KOHIMA, AUGUST 25 (MExN): The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been tasked with developing a strategic plan for mitigating human-elephant conflicts (HEC) in Wokha and Mokokchung districts of Nagaland under the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya-Nagaland Project (FBMP), a KfW-funded project.
In this connection, a team of scientists from WII, led by Dr Anukul Nath, Project Investigator and Wildlife Conservation Specialist, arrived in Kohima on August 24 for an introductory and planning meeting, a press release informed.
The meeting was chaired by Supongnukshi, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests and Project Director of FBMP. Attendees included key officials from the Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing, Wokha Forest Division, Mokokchung Forest Division, as well as experts from the Project Management Consultant and Project Management Unit.
Following the meeting, the WII team travelled to Wokha, where they will establish a base camp for the duration of their assignment.
The scope of WII's work will encompass a comprehensive assessment of elephant distribution, population structure, and demography. Additionally, the project aims to enhance the capacity of the Forest Department staff and the local communities. The ultimate goal is to develop a robust Human-Elephant Conflict Management Plan tailored to the specific needs of affected areas in and around Wokha and Mokokchung districts.
