RAIPUR: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in partnership with Oracle, a multinational IT company and Chhattisgarh Forest Department (Wildlife) imparted three day long training on legal, biological & enforcement aspects of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Wildlife Crime Prevention.
Nearly 50 frontline staff of 8 forest ranges of Udanti-Sitanadi TR participated in the training from August 10-12 at Udanti tiger reserve.
The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. Rahul Kaul, senior director, WTI and V. Reddy, deputy director, Udanti- Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh.
In a bid to equip and strengthen the frontline forest staff of the country, WTI has been conducting Wildlife Crime Prevention Training Programme under Van Rakshak Project (VRP) since 2001. From the time of its inception, VRP has trained over 16,000 forest staff covering more than 138 protected areas over 14 states. VRP follows a multi-pronged strategy with four thrust areas abbreviated as TEAM: Training, Equipping, Awareness and Morale Boosting, to broadly facilitate capacity building and strengthen spirits of personnel in tough field conditions.
The concept of this training was to ensure that frontline forest staff of Udanti- Sitanadi Tiger Reserve is well versed with legal aspects of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and its various sections to ensure appropriate documentation and court proceedings in a fool proof manner. The course included basics of wildlife biology, tracks and signs, patrolling, crime prevention topics like anti-poaching patrolling techniques, intelligence gathering, interrogation techniques, crime scene investigation, and preparation of Preliminary Offence Report (POR). The frontline forest staff was also sensitized on The Indian Evidence Act; Indian Penal Code; Code of Criminal Proceedings pertaining to protection of wildlife in the state and the powers vested on them by these acts and how they need to proceed in case they are attending to any wildlife crime investigation.
Trainees were examined on the basis of test before and after the training programme. A dedicated field day was also conducted for the trainees in order to impart the practical knowledge of crime scene investigation, search and seizures and interrogations. The Kits (Rain suit, Jacket, sleeping bag, cap, torch and rucksack) and Certificates were distributed to the successful trainees by O.P. Yadav, field director, Udanti- Sitanadi TR at the end of the training programme. The training program coordinated by Dr. RP Mishra, regional head- Central India, Wildlife Trust of India.
