2-Days Workshop Begins on Law Enforcement and Countering Wildlife Trafficking
Imphal, 14 November, 2019 (DIPR): Forest and Environment Minister Shri Thounaojam Shyamkumar today addressed and acknowledged the problems and threats faced by the Forest Department officials while countering wildlife trafficking in the State.
He addressed to the issues while inaugurating the 2 days workshop on Law Enforcement and Countering Wildlife Trafficking for the frontline field staff of Forests, Wildlife, Assam Rifles, Paramilitary Forces and Manipur Police in the State of Manipur held at main conference hall, Forest Head Office, Sanjenthong, Imphal. The workshop is being organised by the Wildlife Wing, Forest Department in association with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India.
Stating that Forest department has adequate manpower, the Minister said that the department needs support of the State police and paramilitary forces in dealing with any matter related to trafficking/smuggling as the Forest officials are unarmed.
He further said the law enforcing agencies need to thoroughly check the porous border areas to prevent wildlife trafficking. He said he is optimistic that the issue can be dealt with joint collaboration between the Forest Department, State police and paramilitary forces.
Shri Suhel Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) said that as smuggling of wildlife activities are still continuing in the State and stressed on the need for such kind of workshops in all the districts including the Divisional Forest Officer, police and paramilitary forces of the place. He also stressed on the need to strengthen the legal action against those involving in wildlife trafficking.
In the technical session held in the afternoon, DP Bankhwal, IFS (Retd), Government of Assam spoke on the topic ‘role of paramilitary services in countering wildlife trafficking’, Aditi Ranjan, Conservation Biologists spoke on the ‘introduction to wildlife trafficking’, Anirban Chaudhari, Field Biologists spoke on ‘commonly trafficked wildlife animals and products’ and MI Varghese, IFS (Retd.) spoke on introduction to Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which was followed by question and answer session.
Shri K. Angami, PCCF and HoFF, Shri DJN Anand, PCCF (Wildlife), officials of the Forest Department, scientists from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), officials from Manipur Police, Assam Rifles also attended the inaugural day today. (DIPR)