Raimona National Park, 19th December 2024: A training program on ‘Capacity Building & Protection Measures’ for 43 personal posts from 4 ranges (Western, Central, Sanfan and Eastern) of Raimona National Park, Assam, was conducted from 16-18 December 2024 in Kachugaon, Central Range. Organised by Kachugaon Forest Division and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the three-day program was inaugurated by Mr. Bhanu Sinha, AFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Kachugaon Division and trainer Mr. Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, DCF (Retd.)

Dr. C Ramesh, IFS, CCF cum Field Director, Manas Tiger Reserve took sessions on innovative ways for building park-people relations, documenting the field observations while patrolling, departmental hierarchy, discipline and reporting relationships to the trainees. Mr. Sanatan Deka, Manager and Project Head, WTI conducted a session on snare detection while patrolling.

Sri Jitendra Kumar Prasad, LLM, Advocate, Gossaigaon conducted a session on human rights and trust-building with local communities.

Other aspects of the training included the basics of ecosystems, various forest habitat types, Protected Areas (PAs), wildlife habitat connectivity and the effect of overgrazing, fire on forest and monitoring of animals. The training also included the relevant sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the procedural changes and new laws relevant to forest and wildlife

The Hon’ble Chief of Bodoland Territorial Council, Mr. Pramod Boro directed the Forest Department while distributing the offer letters to 612 personal posts on 14 March 2024 in Kokrajhar to provide training to them with other reputed agencies working in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Mr Bhanu Sinha, AFS, DFO, Kachugaon Forest Division emphasised that the training provided practical and strategic approaches to forest management, anti-poaching, and biodiversity conservation. He highlighted its significance in strengthening conservation efforts at Raimona National Park and expressed gratitude to the Wildlife Trust of India for their support, anticipating ongoing collaboration to protect natural heritage.

Sanatan Deka stated that most staff members have been working in the field for over ten years in various capacities but had not received such training before. He noted that approximately 100 staff members in the newly established Raimona National Park are dedicated to protecting the park’s rich natural heritage, and the training will help enhance their skills and knowledge.

Read about WTI’s work in the Greater Manas landscape.