2-day workshop on law enforcement and countering wildlife trafficking begins
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 14 2019:
Forest and Environment Minister 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 a 2 day workshop on Law Enforcement and Countering Wildlife Trafficking for the frontline field staff of Forests, Wildlife, Assam Rifles, Paramilitary Forces and Manipur Police in Manipur held at the main conference hall of Forest Head Office, Sanjenthong, Imphal.
The workshop is organised by 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.
Stating that the law enforcing agencies need to thoroughly check the porous border areas to prevent wildlife trafficking, the Minister expressed hope that the issue can be dealt properly if the Forest Department, State police and paramilitary forces work together.
Suhel Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) said that as smuggling of wildlife activities are still continuing in the State, such kind of workshop should be conducted on regular basis in all districts.
He also stressed on the need to strengthen the legal action against those involving in wildlife trafficking.
In the technical session, 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 'introduction to wildlife trafficking', Anirban Chaudhari, Field Biologists spoke on 'commonly trafficked wildlife animals and products' and MI Varghese, IFS (retd) on "Introduction to Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972".K Angami, PCCF and HoFF, 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 programme.