PREVENTION OF WILDLIFE CRIME: WORKSHOP BY USTM AND AARANYAK

 

9th Mile, Ri Bhoi, Khanapara, April 21, 2022: A workshop on “Prevention of Wildlife Crime” was held at NKC Auditorium of USTM here today which was jointly organized by the Department of Zoology USTM and Aaranyak, a Guwahati based organization that addresses a wide spectrum of issues related to Wildlife. The workshop was participated by Zoology students as well as several others interested in Wildlife conservation.

Attending the workshop as the Chief Guest, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Meghalaya, Gavade Sachin Shankar, IFS, underlined the immense importance of the rich biodiversity inclusive of a wide range of wildlife species in the global perspective and need for cooperation of all sections of the society in protecting wildlife in the region.

Internationally acclaimed rhino conservation expert and a noted wildlife biologist Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar who is also the CEO and Secretary General of Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), called upon the students and researchers to educate themselves on law in vogue to prevent wildlife crimes which has assumed an alarming proportion all over the globe.
He said North East India is a biodiversity hotspot because of its unique altitudinal gradient that comprises of different biogeographic zones containing different types of wildlife habitats which have led to prevalence of diverse wildlife fauna and flora in the region.
He said since wildlife crimes are committed in collusion to arms smugglers and rebels (in come case) the phenomenon is considered a threat to the national security now and requires a concerted effort of all sections of the society to prevent it. The resource person explained how the global illegal wildlife trade is linked to insurgency and clandestine arms trades on the globe.
The students were engaged in an elaborate interactive session with the resource persons at the end of the workshop and answered all questions raised by the participants in the workshop.
Earlier, Head of the Zoology Department of the USTM, Dr D K Sharma inaugurating the workshop explained the purpose of it while Dr R K Sharma, adviser to USTM and B K Das, Director (Administration) of the varsity said that the workshop would benefit the students immensely as they would get enlightened on a very important issue related to sustenance of the rich biodiversity in the region.
The different technical sessions of the workshop include, “Global Perspectives of Wildlife Crime” conducted by Dr Jimmy Borah, Legal and Advocacy Division, Aaranyak, “Local Perspectives of Wildlife Crime” conducted by Ivy Farheen Hussain, Wildlife Crime Analyst, Aaranyak. The day-long workshop ended with vote of thanks delivered by Dr Dipankar Dutta, Assistant Professor of Zoology USTM.