GUWAHATI: Over 40 personnel from the Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) underwent a workshop on illegal wildlife trade at the Daranga Border Outpost (BOP) of the 64th Battalion, on Wednesday.
The session aimed at sensitising the border guarding force on the mounting challenges of battling wildlife crimes along the India-Bhutan border.
The workshop witnessed active participation from SSB personnel stationed across various border outposts in the Manas region.
Jawaharlal Baro, Assistant Director from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), addressing the workshop, spoke on the significance of identifying various wildlife species and “products”.
He also discussed the crucial role of border agencies in detecting and deterring wildlife trafficking.
Another WCCB member, Kangkan Kaushik Goswami, also participated in the workshop, contributing to the training session.
Binita Baruwati, a senior official from Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, also delivered a compelling talk during the workshop.
Shedding light on recent case studies, drawing from one year of data in the greater Manas National Park area, she highlighted the crucial role of border guarding agencies in the Manas Landscape.
Baruwati provided detailed insights into recent wildlife crime case studies, ranging from rhino and elephant poaching, ivory seizures to tiger poaching and the illegal trade of tiger body parts.
She also stressed on the importance of early detection as a primary strategy for preventing wildlife crimes. Baruwati was assisted by Mizing Baro, another Aaranyak staff member.
