Workshop on wildlife crime investigation begins in Kangra dist

In a major step towards strengthening wildlife protection and improving enforcement mechanisms in Himachal Pradesh, a three-day specialised workshop on wildlife crime investigation commenced on Sunday at the Police Training Centre (PTC) in Daroh. The workshop aims to build the investigative and legal capacities of police and forest officials dealing with offences related to wildlife and environmental protection.

The programme was inaugurated by Basu Kaushal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Dharmsala, who attended as the chief guest. In her inaugural address, she underlined the growing threat posed by organised wildlife crime, illegal trade and habitat degradation. She said wildlife crime had both ecological and socio-economic consequences, and therefore required a professional, coordinated and legally sound response from enforcement agencies. She called for stronger synergy between the Police and Forest Departments to ensure effective investigation and higher conviction rates.

Prominent officers present on the occasion included Rahul Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer (Headquarters), Dharmsala; Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Palampur; Sanjeev Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Dharamsala; Om Prakash Chandel, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Palampur; D R Dhiman, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Dharmsala; and Tanvi Gupta, Assistant Project Director, KfW Project, Dharmsala. Their presence reflected strong institutional support for capacity-building initiatives in wildlife law enforcement.

A total of 46 participants are attending the workshop, including Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs), Range Officers (ROs), Block Officers, and Forest Guards from three Territorial Forest Divisions — Dharmsala, Chamba, and Hamirpur — as well as officers from the Wildlife Circle, Hamirpur. The diverse representation ensures that field-level functionaries directly involved in detection, seizure, and prosecution of wildlife offences benefit from the training.

The workshop features intensive sessions on scientific and evidence-based investigation techniques, identification of protected flora and fauna, proper seizure and documentation procedures, crime scene management, forensic aspects of wildlife offences, and effective presentation of cases in court. Special emphasis is being laid on the correct application of provisions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, along with relevant sections of criminal and procedural laws.

Experts are also addressing emerging challenges such as organised illegal wildlife trade networks, advanced poaching techniques, cyber-enabled trafficking, and encroachment of natural habitats. Discussions include strategies for intelligence gathering, inter-agency information sharing, and use of technology in tracking wildlife crimes.

The three-day workshop reflects the state government’s continued commitment to wildlife conservation and professional capacity-building of frontline enforcement officers. By equipping officials with updated legal knowledge and modern investigative skills, the initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the fight against wildlife crime and contribute to the long-term protection of Himachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity.