By Our Staff Reporter
DEHRADUN, 29 Jan: Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), made his first visit to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). He inaugurated the WII Store, which features wildlife-themed merchandise and souvenirs. The initiative hopes to spread awareness towards wildlife conservation by the institute.
The Governor graced the Valedictory function of the 39th Certificate Course in Wildlife Management as the Chief Guest. This course is held for three months at the Wildlife Institute of India for the officer trainees of the rank of Range Forest Officers, Deputy Range Forest officers and equivalent from different states within the country. The Governor presented certificates and medals to the officer trainees. The ‘Wildlife Conservation Gold Medal’ for the top trainee was given to Bethsebi Lalremruati, RFO from Mizoram. The Silver medal for the Best All Round Wildlifer’ was awarded to Umesh, RFO from Rajasthan. and the Silver medal for the `Best Performance in Wildlife Management Module’ was bagged by Rahul Upadhyay, RFO from Madhya Pradesh. He congratulated all the officer trainees and especially the award-winners. The Governor stated that the knowledge gained by the officer trainees through the course would contribute to better wildlife management throughout the country in their respective states.
He acknowledged the efforts of veteran wildlifers Late AJT Johnsingh and GS Rawat, who, in 2022, rediscovered the historic trails of Jim Corbett, focusing on human-wildlife conflict sites related to man-eating tigers and leopards. Their exploration is featured in the 70-minute documentary Corbett Trail, which celebrates the region’s ecotourism potential and natural heritage.
The Governor said, “I feel a positivity in the wildlife fraternity and I am glad to see the use of the latest technology in wildlife conservation.” The Governor also made a visit to the Advanced Pashmina Certification Centre which plays a crucial role in certifying the authenticity of Pashmina products and combating wildlife crime. Over 16,000 Pashmina shawls have been certified so far.
He also visited the WII wildlife forensic lab which has been aiding the enforcement in curbing the illegal trade of wildlife products and assists in resolving wildlife-related criminal cases.
As part of the event, Lt Gen Singh also launched two publications prepared by WII: (i) Brain Gym Activity – River Dependent Animals and (ii) Celebrating Ganga and Its Tributaries. The Tool booklet on Brain Gym Activity was developed for school children to sensitize them to river ecosystems and their biodiversity. This booklet includes activities designed to stimulate young minds and inspire them to contribute to sustainable lifestyles and river conservation. The publication on Celebrating Ganga and Its Tributaries provides insights into various festivals and ceremonies observed in the Ganga River Basin, linking them with the river ecosystem and its biodiversity. It highlights the role of the Ganga and its tributaries in the cultural, livelihood, and community development of the region.
He inaugurated a Digital Repository containing research theses, PhD dissertations, technical reports, and other publications from the Institute. This repository will benefit WII students, researchers, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Governor launched the Jal Khata Campaign, a part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at involving schoolchildren and local communities in rainwater conservation efforts. This campaign will be launched in schools and communities across Uttarakhand and later extend to other states in the Ganga Basin. It presents a unique opportunity to showcase sustainable practices in water management within schools.
After the event, he wished the best for S. Sathyakumar, the scientist and Registrar of WII, for his tireless service of over three decades of service. Sathyakumar has made significant contributions to wildlife conservation in Uttarakhand and other Himalayan states, particularly in the conservation of the musk deer, bears and snow leopard, and has published more than 200 research papers and reports.
The Governor further felicitated retired distinguished scientists, PC Tyagi, retired PCCF (HoFF) and former WII faculty, SP Goyal, Retired Scientist and PK Malik, retired Scientist of the institute. Meritorious researchers Akanksa Saxena, Gaurav PJ and Swapnali Gole were also felicitated for their unwavering commitment towards wildlife science and conservation.
On this occasion, Director of Wildlife Institute of India, Virendra R Tiwari expressed his gratitude to the Governor for sparing his valuable time for the Institute and presenting the awards to the officer trainees of the Certificate Course. He said that the Institute is very actively performing all the mandated activities and contributing to the wildlife conservation strategies of the country.
