A one-day training programme on “Monitoring of Threatened Mammalian Fauna of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)” was successfully conducted on January 20 at the DC Office, Baghmara, Meghalaya. The programme was organized by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata in collaboration with Meghalaya Forest Department, with active participation law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and local community representatives. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of frontline staff, field officers, students, and community stakeholders in scientific monitoring and conservation of threatened mammalian fauna, with a focus on addressing emerging conservation challenges including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change impacts.
The training programme emphasized the importance of collaborative conservation, scientific monitoring, awareness generation, and capacity building for effective wildlife management in ecologically sensitive landscapes. Participants were introduced to key threatened mammalian species of the Indian Himalayan region and adjoining landscapes, their ecological roles, emerging threats, and the need for long-term monitoring to inform conservation planning and management interventions.
The inaugural session was graced by M.J.A. Sangma, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Territorial) of Meghalaya as the Chief Guest, and Nazia Marak, Director, Balphakram National Park, as the Guest of Honour. In her address, the Chief Guest highlighted the importance of scientific monitoring and evidence-based decision-making for wildlife conservation and emphasized the role of frontline staff and local communities in safeguarding biodiversity. The Guest of Honour underscored the need for integrated and participatory approaches to conservation, stressing that collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities is essential for sustaining biodiversity in the region.
Dr. Bheem Dutt Joshi, Scientist-C, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, and Training Coordinator of the programme, delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the NMHS-funded project titled “Conservation of Threatened Mammalian Fauna of the Indian Himalayan Region.” He highlighted the objectives, scope, and conservation significance of the project and discussed major threats faced by Himalayan and associated mammalian species. Dr Joshi emphasized that several key mammalian species are experiencing rapid population declines and require immediate scientific attention and coordinated conservation action at both regional and national levels.
The training programme included technical sessions and hands-on demonstrations focusing on modern tools and techniques for mammal monitoring. Dr. Amira Sharief delivered a lecture on the introduction to monitoring tools and techniques for mammals, followed by a presentation by Ms. Sanyukta Kasbekar and Mr. Gokul V., who shared progress updates and preliminary findings from ongoing field studies under the project. Their presentation revealed high mammalian species richness in Balpakram National Park, followed by Community Forest Reserves, with carnivores comprising nearly 60% of total species captures, reflecting a healthy prey base and ecologically balanced habitats. The findings highlight the conservation significance of both protected and community-managed areas in South Garo hills. Dr. Arundeep Singha presented an overview of human-wildlife interaction, highlighting its causes, patterns, and mitigation strategies.