Training on Use and Maintenance of Equipment for the RRTs in Kodagu, Karnataka

30 Nov, 2021

A two-day training on the “Use and Maintenance of Equipment (UMRE) for Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation” was conducted on 24 and 29 November 2021 at Kodagu (Karnataka) by GIZ and the Karnataka Forest Department under the Indo-German project on HWC Mitigation. About 30 participants from the division-level Rapid Response Teams (RRT) of Virajpet, and Range RRTs of Thitathimathi, Virajpet, Ponnempet, Madikeri and Kushalnagar Rranges joined the training.

The training provided hands-on exercises on the use and maintenance of patrolling and monitoring, capture, translocation, camping, and occupational health and safety relevant equipment. The Do’s and Don’ts of equipment and safety measures were specifically discussed during these sessions. Brainstorming exercises helped the participants share knowledge to further elaborate the outline of radiotelemetry (elephant and leopard radio collars and tracking devices, antenna and receivers), camera trapping (different types of camera traps) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of early warning measures in the field.

The training received very positive feedback from the participants who confirmed that they will now be able to use and maintain the equipment more effectively at their respective RRTs. The training was conducted by Dr B Navaneethan and Mr Karthik K as lead trainers and resource persons.

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About the project

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (HWC) project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and State Forest Departments of Karnataka, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The project aims at providing technical support at the national level, and effective implementation of HWC mitigation measures in selected states of India. The project pilot sites are Haridwar Forest Division and adjoining landscape including Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, Gorumara Wildlife Division in West Bengal, and Kodagu Forest Circle in Karnataka.

The main objective of the project is that the rural population in project areas, where agreed guidelines and tools are applied to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, is better protected against it. The project takes the approach of harmonious coexistence, by ensuring that both—humans and wildlife—are protected from conflict. Read More

For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de