Assam: Training programme on Rhino DNA Indexing System held

BISWANATH CHARIALI: With an aim to improve the skills of the forest staff of Biswanath Wildlife Division under Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on rhino crime investigation, a training programme on Rhino DNA Indexing System was held on Friday. Around 25 forest staff from the Wildlife Division, 5 officers and veterinary officials from the adjoining state veterinary offices attended the programme. The training was imparted by Amit Sharma, National Lead for Rhino Conservation, WWF – India and Dr Khanin Changmai, Associate Coordinator-Animal Health from Brahmaputra Landscape, WWF-India.

The training covered the basics of investigation procedures under the RhoDIS India programme as per the Standard Operating Procedure approved by the MoEFCC, Government of India, use of the field sampling kits for collecting biological evidences and maintaining the chain of custody and use of the Crime Investigation kit. One set of crime investigation kits as listed under the RhoDIS India was also handed over to the Biswanath Wildlife Division on Friday. RhoDIS India is a programme jointly developed and implemented in India by the MoEFCC, WII, WWF India and the rhino bearing states of India since 2016.

The RhoDIS India programme has been adapted from the RhoDIS programme developed by University of Pretoria in South Africa. This tool in India was introduced in 2014 through a series of workshops organized in Assam by WWF India and the Assam Forest Department by bringing in experts from South Africa. The RhoDIS India programme was initiated in 2016 and was started to be implemented across India since then. The RhoDIS India laboratory for the analysis and creation of the rhino DNA database is hosted by Wildlife Institute of India headed by Dr Samrat Mondol.

Till date around 23 rhino crime cases from across India has been analysed and reports provided which has helped in the legal proceedings of the various crime cases. For the first time for sample collection of rhino crime cases a special tamper proof sampling kit has been also developed under the programme that has been provided for use to the various rhino bearing areas of India.

The training programme was inaugurated by Khagesh Pegu, Divisional Forest Officer under Kaziranga NP & TR. In his address, Pegu said, “Now with the provisioning of the crime investigation kits which contains a host of tools including a metal detector and skilling of the manpower, it is anticipated that systematic investigation of the rhino crime cases would be possible thereby strengthening the fight against poaching.” He also thanked the MoEFCC and other partners of RhoDIS India programme for introducing these cutting edge tools to fight against poaching.

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