Kerala Forest Department to get modern ATVs and safety gear for wildlife protection

Kerala's Forest department will receive modern technology, vehicles and safety equipment to strengthen wildlife management and forest protection, Minister Shibu Baby John has announced at a training institute convocation.

Officials working with wild animals will be equipped with protective gear and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) among other modern vehicles, the Minister said.

Training institute convocation at Walayar

John made the announcement while addressing the convocation of a new batch of beat forest officers (BFOs) at the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar, where he also reviewed their passing-out parade.

A total of 148 BFOs completed nine months of training during the course. The programme included six months of forestry training and three months at the State Police Academy, Thrissur.

The training covered forest-related subjects, physical fitness, discipline, karate, yoga, first aid and personality development.

The batch comprised 55 men and 93 women. Among them were nine engineering graduates, 42 postgraduates, 72 graduates, one MPhil holder and one BAMS graduate.

Human-wildlife conflict requires public cooperation

Speaking at the event, John said lasting solutions to the state's growing human-wildlife conflict could be found only with the involvement and cooperation of people living in the hilly areas.

Unlike regular law-enforcement agencies, the Forest department has the added responsibility of protecting nature, he said.

The government would also consider increasing funds for the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar, the Minister added.

L. Chandrasekhar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Finance, Budget and Audit), presided over the function. Conservator of Forests (HRD) Narendranath Veluri presented the training report.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) J. Justin Mohan administered the oath. A. Prabhakaran, MLA; Chief Conservator of Forests R. Kamalahar; Deputy Conservator of Forests Devipriya Ajith; and State Forest Training Institute Director Ravi Kumar Meena were among those who attended.

Source: The Hindu