Training on wildlife disease surveillance held for fringe villages of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

GANGTOK, 16 Feb:: Department of Forest Environment and Wildlife Management, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services Department, organized a two-day training on Wildlife Disease Surveillance for fringe villages of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and the frontline staff of the Forest Dept. at Namprikdang in Dzongu on 11 and 12 February.
The objective of this exercise was to reduce instances of diseases, especially skin diseases among wild animal like Goral, Serow and Himalayan Tahr and domestic animals like goats, an official press release informs.
Field staff of Forest Dept. and EDC/JFMC members were trained on collection of samples of skin, blood and feces so that diseases can be properly identified in laboratories. Training was also imparted on handling techniques for wildlife, including birds, in case of emergencies.
Resource persons for the training included Foresters JB Subba, Director KNP/ KBR and Zoo, Usha Lachungpa, Principal Research Officer  (Wildlife); Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, DFO (KNP/KBR/HZP); Veterinarians Dr. CP Rai, (Dy. Dir, Dzongu) and Dr. Dechen Kaleon (Dy. Dir, Mangan).
The training was attended by Nim Tshering Lepcha, Upadhyaksha as chief guest.
More than 30 members, including Eco-Development Committees of Leek, Bey-Pentong, Saffo, Shipgyer, Tingvong; Joint Forest Management Committees of Lingdem/Laven, Hee Gyathang, Lingtem, Gor, Tarang and the MLAS NGO attended the training.
The programme concluded with distribution of Wildlife Disease Surveillance Kits and certificates to the participants by the Zilla Upadhyaksha and Mr. Subba.