Wildlife Conservation Training Camp

As an attempt to develop a pool of the next generation Naturalist and conservationists in Assam, Aaranyak in collaboration with the Digboi College and Digboi Forest Division conducted a 3-day long Wildlife Conservation Training Camp at Saraipung Range of Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary from 25^th to 27^th March, 2013.

Altogether 30 participants from 15 different localities of Upper Assam and 12 experts from Aaranyak, Digboi College, Forest Department and other institutions participated and interacted with the participants in camp.

The training programme was inaugurated in the afternoon of 25^th March with participation of the officials from Digboi Forest Division, faculties from Digboi College and H H N Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Tinsukia district.

On 26^th March, participants were trained in bird watching and nature trails by Mridu Paban Phukan, Gangetic dolphin conservation by Dr. Abdul Wakid, Tiger conservation and Amphibian observation by Dr. Firoz Ahmed and on Snake conservation by Rajib Rudra Tariang.

On 27^th March, participants were trained in animal rescue and rehabilitation by Dr. Anjan Talukdar, elephant conservation by Dr. Bibhuti P Lahkar, basics of wildlife genetics by Pranjal Das and about Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary by S. Thakuria, ACF, Digboi Forest Division.

Also a power point presentations was made by Rajib Rudra Tariang on butterfly conservation. Mridu Paban Phukan interacted about vulture conservation while Sanjay Das spoke on the birds of Dibru-saikhowa National Park. Deborshee Gogoi made presentation on the birds of Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The camp was finally concluded in the morning of 28^th March with an evaluation of the whole training exercise and with words of appreciation from the participants for giving them an opportunity to learn more about nature and wildlife.  

Aaranyak plans to hold more such conservation training camps in the coming years in the eastern Assam region to inculcate interest about nature and wildlife studies amongst the young generation and students in particular. Aaranyak also appreciates the assistance and logistics provided by the Digboi Forest Division for conducting  this camp successfully.