State forest dept trains vets for better wildlife conservation

29-12-2010
State forest dept trains vets for better wildlife conservation
Times of India By Vijaysinh Parmar
Print Edition

Many a time when veterinary doctors are posted near the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, they encounter a situation when they have treat a wild animal and with training, they can deal with such situations effectively, said chief conservator of forests Junagadh circle (wildlife) R L Meena

For effective wildlife management, conservation and rescue operation on the periphery area of wildlife sanctuaries and national park in Gujarat, the state forest department in association with department of animal husbandry initiated a training program for veterinary doctors and range forest officers.

According to chief conservator of forest, Junagadh circle( wildlife) R L Meena " the idea behind organizing such programmers is to make wildlife management and conservation more effective". He adds: "At present, veterinary doctor and range forest from saurashtra and kutch regions are being trained at Sakkarbaug Zoo. The veterinary doctors are primarily responsible for domestic animal, but many time when they are posted near the wildlife sanctuaries and national park, they encounter a situation when they have to treat a wild animals and during emergency they can deal with the situation effectively,"Meena told TOI.

According to Sakkarbaug Zoo director V J Rana, this is the third such training and workshop. "In the first phase, five training programme are being conducted for veterinary and range forest officers. Experts from forest department will train them to deal with wild animals and the possible treatment should be given. Forest officials says that such programmes will help better coordination between range forest officers and veterinary doctors in their respective areas.