Nature Guide Training Programme commences at Pakke Tiger Reserve to empower local communities

A CORRESPONDENT

JAMUGURIHAT: The Pakke Tiger Reserve inaugurated a three-day Nature Guide Training Programme at the West Bank Conference Hall, Seijosa on Tuesday, aiming to equip local residents from fringe villages with essential skills in eco-tourism, wildlife guiding, and nature interpretation, stated a press release. The programme, scheduled from June 24 to 26, is being organized by the Pakke Tiger Reserve under the leadership of Satyaprakash Singh, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Pakke WLS & Tiger Reserve. This initiative underscores the Forest Department's continued commitment to community-based conservation and sustainable livelihood promotion under Van Samvaad initiative of Pakke Tiger Reserve. The training focuses on building local capacity in areas such as wildlife guiding, bird identification, ethical ecotourism practices, hospitality, and traditional craft marketing. Participants will also undergo hands-on field sessions at Jalinala, PTR providing practical experience in nature-based tourism.

The inaugural session featured addresses by Talo Dibo, RFO Rillo Wildlife Range, Satyaprakash Singh, IFS, DFO Pakke Tiger Reserve, and Dr Panjit Basumutary, Manager & Head, CBRC, West Bank Seijosa. The programme brought together a team of eminent resource persons, including Dr Ranjan Kumar Das, noted Ornithologist and IUCN Red List member, Anirudh Chaoji, Ecologist and Naturalist Trainer, Ramesh Kumar Gogoi, retired DFO of Kaziranga National Park, and Bitupan Kolong, senior guide from Northeast India.

More than 40 local youths and community members are participating, reflecting a growing interest in linking conservation with sustainable livelihoods. The Pakke Tiger Reserve hopes that this training would empower local communities to play a vital role in promoting eco-tourism and conservation awareness, ensuring a collaborative approach to protecting the region's rich biodiversity.

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