2nd phase of training on hoolock gibbon ends in Nagaland

GUWAHATI: The second batch 'training of forest guard for the conservation of hoolock gibbon in Nagaland' was conducted recently, stated a press release.

Altogether 35 forest guards from 10 Forest Divisions, including Dimapur, Kohima, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensung, Peren, Phek, Wokha and Zunheboto attended the week-long residential training.

The training was conducted by Aaranyak, a scientific and industrial research

Organization, in collaboration with the Nagaland Forest Department and with support from US Fish & Wildlife Service. A field study was carried out at Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam for better understanding of habitat and behaviour of the species.

The training, held at State Environment and Forestry Training Institute (SEFTI), Dimapur, was inaugurated by M Shakiba Yimchunger, IFS, Director of SEFTI, Dimapur.

Addressing the trainees from different parts of Nagaland, Yimchunger said that this type of training is the first of its kind in Nagaland, which will help them to build their capacity for the conservation of biodiversity.

"This type of training is not found in the different forest schools or the forest institutes," he said.

Dr Dilip Chetry, Head, Primate Research & Conservation Division, Aaranyak, requested that the trainees should make use of this training to enhance their knowledge of conservation of hoolock gibbon in particular and biodiversity in general. He said that the situation of the hoolock gibbon in Nagaland is alarming and the species needs support from all quarters to survive.

Obed B Swu, Deputy Director, SEFTI also requested the trainees to learn and interact with different resource persons in a disciplined way.

The trainers included Dr IC Baruah, Assam Agricultural University, Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General & CEO of Aaranyak, senior scientists of Aaranyak Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, Dr Firoz Ahmed, Dr Jimmy Borah and experts of Aaranyak Arup Kumar Das, Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Mridu Paban Phukan from the Wildlife Conservation & Study Centre, and Ajoy Kumar Das.

On February 26, the convocation was held under the chairmanship of M Shakiba Yimchunger, with T Aochuba, IFS, Director, Intanki National Park, as the special guest.

Aochuba expressed the hope that this training will boost the capacity of the trainees in the conservation of the hoolock gibbon in particular and biodiversity in general. He also requested Aaranyak to help the forest department in biodiversity conservation of Nagaland by capacity-building of the forest staff as well as community and local youth. He later distributed certificates, books, posters and study material to the trainees. The next batch of training will commence during April 18 to April 23.

Also Read: Nagaland forest staff being trained for hoolock gibbon conservation

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