HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 20: A workshop on “wildlife crime scenarios and its various dimensions” was conducted in Morigaon district for officials from judicial services, the forest department, and the police department. The workshop, organised by Aaranyak in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Morigaon and District Police of Morigaon, emphasised the need for collaborative efforts among various agencies to combat wildlife offenses effectively.
Key participants included judicial officers from the District Legal Services Authority, District and Sessions Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate, district commissioner, superintendent of police (SP), additional SP, and other senior police officials. The workshop aimed to enhance understanding of the investigation procedures for wildlife crimes under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
District and Sessions Judge of Morigaon, Nayan Shankar Baruah, provided detailed insights into the investigation process for wildlife crimes. He discussed the importance of effective submission of wildlife crime offense reports, complaint petitions, and the meticulous preparation of seizure lists for submission in the court of law.
Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, secretary general and CEO of Aaranyak, highlighted the global and local perspectives on wildlife conservation. He emphasized the need for sustained synergy among all concerned agencies to combat wildlife crimes and contribute to global conservation efforts.
The workshop also included discussions on experiences and challenges faced by police and forest officials in investigating wildlife crime cases. Participants were guided by the District and Sessions Judge on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent of Police in Morigaon expressed hope that the workshop would enlighten investigating officers from both the Forest and Police departments on proper investigative procedures for wildlife crimes, leading to successful convictions in court.
