The Biological Park, Chidiyatapu, conducted a one-day capacity building programme on ‘Safe Handling, Rescue and Rehabilitation Techniques of Crocodiles’ for Forester trainees on Sunday, as part of the 71st Wildlife Week celebrations. The training aimed at strengthening the preparedness of frontline forest staff in addressing human-crocodile conflicts while ensuring the safety of both wildlife and the public.
The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), who attended as the chief guest, along with Shri Ashwin J Parihar, Divisional Forest Officer (South Andaman), and other officers of the Department.
In his address to the trainees, Dr. Kannan underlined the vital role played by frontline forest staff in the conservation process, particularly in conflict mitigation. He noted that the task of handling saltwater crocodiles demands not only skill and courage but also compassion, adding that each successful rescue strengthens biodiversity protection and enhances trust between the community and nature.
On the occasion, an animated awareness video prepared by the South Andaman Division to counter wildlife crimes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was released by the chief guest. The video has been designed as part of the Department’s wider efforts to address challenges of wildlife crime, improve public awareness, and reinforce its commitment to human-wildlife conflict management in one of India’s most ecologically fragile coastal regions.
The capacity building exercise, organized with the support of staff from the Wildlife Division, Haddo, involved practical sessions aimed at preparing the trainees to respond effectively to real-world scenarios. At the conclusion of the training, the participating Forester trainees expressed their determination to put into practice the knowledge and techniques gained during the programme.
The Deputy Director of the Biological Park reaffirmed the park’s commitment to continuous training programmes designed to strengthen the operational readiness of field staff. Emphasizing the importance of sustained capacity building, the official reiterated that such initiatives would continue to support wildlife conservation and conflict management efforts across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
According to a press release received from the Biological Park, the training not only highlighted the Department’s focus on enhancing skills at the grassroots level but also underlined its vision of building a well-prepared team of frontline personnel capable of addressing the challenges of conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
