Assam: Wildlife orientation programme held in Digboi

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: A three-day wildlife orientation programme organized jointly by Digboi Forest Division, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), State Veterinary Department, and Lakhimpur Veterinary College concluded here recently in Digboi. The enriching event was meant for final-year students of Lakhimpur Veterinary College.

The programme aimed to provide hands-on experience and exposure to wildlife conservation and management for the future veterinarians besides focussing on the essence of enhancing ways and means to prolong the resources, both flora and fauna, as inalienable aspects of nature and determinants of environment, both physical and biological.

Overwhelmed at the interactive session, the students enthusiastically tried their hands practically in various meaningful activities, including cattle vaccination drives in fringe villages of Dihing Patkai National Park, a visit to the national park, and captive elephant camps in Digboi and Margherita.

Dr Rajib Rudra Tariang from Digboi College and wildlife rescuer Faruk Ali from Digboi enriched the participants with their expertise and acquired experiences while dealing with the biotic components of nature including the wildlife.

Meanwhile, the three-day orientation programme was also marked with a special session on related subjects involving snake identification, classifications, and rescue besides carrying case studies on elephant rescues and treatment.

TC Ranjith Ram, IFS, DFO Digboi, also known for his unwavering efforts in forest and wildlife conservation across the division, said that the division has undergone a radical change.

Acknowledging the need for such nature and wildlife-based orientation programmes, particularly among the students, NGOs, naturalist and environmentalist Mr Ram, while sharing data on various endangered wildlife species in Dehing Patkai National Park, said that there has been a rise in the animal population of the park.

“Heighten security measures and improved surveillance system have not only reduced anti-forest and anti-wildlife activities but have also led to unhindered and free movements of the fauna kingdom in the Dehing Patkai National Park,” claimed the top administrator of the division.

“Clouded leopards, which were not seen in the area earlier, have now been captured on camera while marble cats and leopard cats were also discovered in the park,” Ram said, highlighting that Dehing Patkai is now home to eight different species of wild cats, a rarity in any single protected forest in India.

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