Bengdubi, Siliguri, West Bengal — In a critical effort to strengthen the legal and investigative capabilities of frontline enforcement officers, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)  in collaboration with the West Bengal Forest Department and Nature and Wildlife Association (NWA), with support of Rohini  Nilekani Philanthropies, organised a two-day workshop in Bengdubi, Siliguri, West Bengal, on May 14–15, 2026. 

The growing pressures faced by wildlife due to illegal trade and infrastructure-related threats underscore the urgent need for stronger legal mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, and improved enforcement capacities. The workshop aimed to strengthen the understanding of wildlife laws and procedures among Forest Department officials, enabling them to identify offences effectively, build stronger cases, and ensure better implementation of conservation laws through coordinated action.

This initiative is directly aligned with the spirit of Gaj Utsav — India’s celebration of the elephant as a national heritage animal. Gaj Utsav is not only a cultural commemoration; it is a call to action for the long-term survival of the Asian elephant. When calves are being lost to train strikes and adults are being targeted by organised crime networks, the celebration rings hollow without enforceable protection on the ground. Strengthening legal literacy among frontline officers, fast-tracking wildlife courts, and building multi-agency coordination are therefore not just administrative steps; they are a direct commitment to the promise that Gaj Utsav represents: that India’s elephants will be protected, celebrated, and allowed to thrive for generations to come. The workshop was attended by more than 40 Forest personnel from the Kurseong Forest Division on the legal intricacies of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and modern wildlife crime investigation techniques.

L- R Shri Rahul Mukherjee, ADFO, Kurseong, Shri Anujit Basu, Secretary, NWA, Adv Samir Majumder, Senior Counsel, Alipurduar, during a mock court trial | Photo © TeamWTI

The technical sessions were led by a team of expert trainers. Advocate Samir Majumdar, a Senior Counsel from Alipurduar, provided in-depth legal training on crucial sections of the Act, the examination of court documents, and the documentation of Wildlife Offence Reports (WLOR). To bridge the gap between theory and practice, the workshop featured a moot court exercise, allowing participants to experience the nuances of legal defence and prosecution. 

Field-based investigative techniques were spearheaded by Mr. Monesh Singh Tomar, Assistant Manager, WTI. His sessions focused on the global trends of illegal wildlife trade and practical Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation (WCSI), providing hands-on experience in evidence collection and forensic protocols. 

Saymanti B, Manager and Head of Natural Heritage Campaigns at WTI, expressed that Gaj Utsav is a continued commitment that goes beyond single celebratory events. With renewed partnerships and strengthened hands on the ground, the organisation carries forward a long-standing battle to ensure that India’s elephants are not only protected but also have the Right of Passage.

Shri Devesh Pandey, IFS, DFO, Kurseong, stated that the workshop covered Moot Court exercises, important provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Indian Forest Act, 1927, along with case handling, documentation, and prosecution procedures for forest officers. The training proved highly beneficial for the participating staff members. 

By fostering a deeper understanding of the law and investigation, WTI and the West Bengal Forest Department continue to build a formidable shield against the illegal trade of the region’s diverse flora and fauna.