Jul

State veterinary officers attend Wildlife Health and Disease Management training at Raimona NP

Raimona NP, 17 July 2026: The Kachugaon Forest Division, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), organised a day-long sensitisation programme at the Inspection Bungalow (IB) in Raimona National Park, for 10 State Veterinary Officers from Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, along with Forest Range Officers and foresters from the Athiabari, Sanfan, Central, and Raimona Range Offices.

The sessions aimed to strengthen the capacity of veterinary professionals to handle wildlife cases, monitor livestock-wildlife diseases in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), and establish an active coordination mechanism involving wildlife experts and representatives from recognised laboratories.

Dr. Abhijit Deka, Asst. Prof. Department of Pathology, conducting a technical session | Photo © TeamWTI

Frontline forest staff, forest officials, veterinary professionals, and conservation experts came together to discuss emerging challenges in wildlife health management and disease surveillance. Several eminent resource persons delivered technical sessions on addressing wildlife-related issues. These included Dr. Abhijit Deka, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology; Dr. Parag Choudhury, Veterinary Officer, North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory; Dr. Bhupati Hazowary, District Veterinary Officer, Chirang District, Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR); and Dr. Prabhat Basumatary, Field Veterinary Officer, Manas Tiger Reserve. Dr. Nayanjit Deka, Deputy Director of the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Guwahati, also addressed the participants virtually and highlighted the importance of scientific disease surveillance, timely diagnosis, and coordinated action in wildlife conservation.

The programme was aimed to sensitise and strengthen the capacity of the participants in handling wildlife emergencies| Photo © TeamWTI

The programme was attended by Mustafa Ali Ahmed, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kachugaon Forest Division, veterinary officers from Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, Range Forest Officers (RFOs), frontline forest personnel from Raimona National Park, and frontline staff and officials from the Wildlife Trust of India.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Ahmed emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Forest Department and the Veterinary Department for effective wildlife conservation and disease management. He noted that increasing interactions between wildlife and human settlements necessitate a strong and responsive veterinary support system. Dr. Daoharu Baro and Mr. Sanatan Deka from the Wildlife Trust of India facilitated various technical sessions throughout the day in coordination with Forest Department officials.

Dr. Daoharu Baro, Asst. Manager (Vet) emphasised that the objective was to strengthen the capacity of veterinarians and frontline staff to effectively respond to wildlife mortality in the region. It also aimed to establish a strong network of lab and technical experts to facilitate easy coordination and provide timely support for wildlife health surveillance and disease investigation in BTC.