The Pakke Tiger Reserve launched a three-day Nature Guide Training Programme at the West Bank Conference Hall in Seijosa on Tuesday, aimed at equipping local residents from surrounding villages with vital skills in eco-tourism, wildlife guiding, and nature interpretation. Scheduled from June 24 to 26, the initiative is led by Satyaprakash Singh, IFS, the Divisional Forest Officer for the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. This effort reinforces the Forest Department’s ongoing commitment to community-based conservation and sustainable livelihoods as part of the Van Samvaad initiative.
The training will develop local expertise in wildlife guiding, bird identification, ethical ecotourism practices, hospitality, and marketing of traditional crafts. Participants will also engage in practical field sessions at Jalinala within the reserve, providing hands-on experience in nature-based tourism.
The inaugural session featured talks from notable figures such as Talo Dibo, RFO of the Rillo Wildlife Range, Satyaprakash Singh, and Dr. Panjit Basumutary, Manager and Head of the Central Biodiversity Research Centre at West Bank. A distinguished lineup of resource persons included Dr. Ranjan Kumar Das, an ornithologist and IUCN Red List member, Anirudh Chaoji, an ecologist and naturalist trainer, Ramesh Kumar Gogoi, a retired DFO from Kaziranga National Park, and Bitupan Kolong, a senior guide from Northeast India.
Over 40 local youths and community members are participating, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for integrating conservation with sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Pakke Tiger Reserve aims for this training to empower local communities to become key players in promoting eco-tourism and raising conservation awareness, fostering a collaborative approach to safeguarding the region’s rich biodiversity.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/nature-guide-training-programme-commences-at-pakke-tiger-reserve-to-empower-local-communities
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Publish Date: 2025-06-25 08:26:00
