(IN) WTI holds Conflict animal management workshop in Kashmir

[Guest guest]

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http://www.wti.org.in/current-news/090325_conflict_animal_management_and_rehabil\

itation_workshop.html

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*'Conflict Animal Management & Rehabilitation' workshop in Srinagar *

 

*Srinagar (Kashmir), March 25, 2009: Human-wildlife conflicts and wild

animal displacements are on the rise with the increase in urbanisation

and encroachment. In this situation, rehabilitation has emerged as a vital

tool in wildlife conservation. While there is an upsurge in wildlife rescue

and rehabilitation activities across India, wildlife rehabilitation as a

science is still being established and there are only a few teams equipped

to deal with this challenge. Many of the rescue responses across the

country offer critical support at the time of the emergency but are

often carried out without necessary expertise.*

 

*To promote scientific and humane rehabilitation of displaced wild animals,

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and its partner International Fund for Animal

Welfare (IFAW) initiated annual training programmes for amateur

rehabilitators from across the country, in 2000. Over the years, more

than 380 rehabilitators have been brought together under the IFAW-WTI

Emergency Relief Network (ERN) and trained in these workshops. These

rehabilitators include biologists, veterinarians and personnel from NGOs,

forest and wildlife departments. *

 

*The 2009 workshop was based on the theme ‘Conflict animal management and

rehabilitation’ with special focus on man-animal conflict situations in

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. It was organised in

collaboration with the Sher -e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences

and Technology of Kashmir(SKUAST-K), Srinagar, on 25-27 February at the

university premises. More than 70 individuals from various states were

trained on conflict dynamics, conflict animal management and

rehabilitation. *

 

*Prof Anwar Alam, vice-chancellor, SKUAST-K was the chief guest and AK

Srivastava, Chief Wildlife Warden of Jammu and Kashmir was the guest of

honour. In his inaugural address, Prof Alam stressed the need to “manage the

conflict between wild animals and humans in a scientific manner so that the

lives of the wild animals as well as the life and property of humans is

saved.” The VC shared some experiences of animal-human conflicts, which

confronted him during his career.*

 

*Prof GM Wani, director Extension Education SKUAST-K spoke on the genesis of

man-animal conflict.“Human-animal conflict began with the discovery of fire

and development of stone tools,” he said. “Today the human population has

reached 7.5 billion. The increasing demand for food and other resources has

compelled humans to convert large forest belts and other natural

reserves into cultivation, causing conflicts with animals, " he added. *

 

*Dr NVK Ashraf, Director of Wild Rescue of WTI said, “This is the first time

we are holding a regional workshop with the active collaboration of a local

host. We hope that with the information shared here the participants will

now be better positioned to deal with wildlife emergencies arising due to

conflict with humans.” *

 

*Dr Rahul Kaul, Director, Wild Lands and Ashfaq Ahmed, Manager from WTI

attended the event. IFAW was represented by Dr Anand Ramanathan.*