Sikkim setting up surveillance cameras in wildlife protection areas

Northeast News, 1 May 2024, GUWAHATI: In a bid to bolster bolstering wildlife conservation efforts, the Forest Department of Sikkim has joined forces with a leading research-driven biodiversity conservation organisation, to enhance surveillance capabilities in key protected areas.

With the assistance from Aaranyak, the Himalayan state has installed wildlife surveillance cameras in two crucial regions – the Khangchendzongkha National Park and the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Under the leadership of Wildlife Crime Analyst and Project Officer Ivy Farheen Hussain from Aaranyak’s Legal and Advocacy Division (LAD), the initiative was meticulously planned and executed in collaboration with the Sikkim Forest Department.

The process commenced with a strategic meeting between Hussain and Pradip Kumar IFS, Secretary cum APCCF, Forest and Wildlife, Government of Sikkim, in Gangtok.

The discussion, attended by Chief Wildlife Warden Sandeep Tambe and the Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) of Khangchendzongkha National Park and Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, centred around the functionalities and customsation options of the surveillance cameras, essential for real-time monitoring and response.

Field orientations were conducted subsequently, with Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary serving as the backdrop for the first session.

Forest field staff, including Range Officers and newly recruited graduate foresters-cum-researchers, received comprehensive training on camera operation, deployment, and data monitoring.

The sanctuary, grappling with human-wildlife conflicts worsened by the presence of defence bases, stands to benefit significantly from enhanced surveillance capabilities.

The second field orientation took place in the picturesque setting of Khangchendzongkha National Park, attracting forest department staff and Environmental Development Committee (EDC) members.

Attendees were trained to address prevalent issues such as wildlife poaching and illegal smuggling, particularly concerning the highly endangered Musk Deer.

With its diverse ecosystem and cultural significance, the national park stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demanding stringent conservation measures.

Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, CEO and Secretary-General of Aaranyak, highlights the significance of such collaborations in bridging conservation gaps.

Supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, the initiative marks a crucial step towards Sikkim’s conservation goals, recognized globally for its exemplary environmental policies.

The deployment of surveillance cameras is poised to play a pivotal role in detecting and preventing wildlife crimes, contributing to broader objectives in biodiversity conservation.