The Aaranyak conducted a training programme on the basics of GPS and learning patrol navigation using GPS for the frontline forest employees of the Mazbat range office of Dhansiri Division in Udalguri district.
The training programme was conducted by the Law Enforcement Monitoring (LEM) team of the Tiger Research and Conservation Division (TRCD) of Aaranyak by following all the Covid protocols as per government SOPs.
A total of 15 frontline staff participated in the training, Aaranyak informed.
NK Bordoloi, divisional forest officer (DFO), Dhansiri Division, Udalguri requested Aaranyak to conduct the training as he identified the need of GPS training for the frontline staff in doing their law enforcement patrols effectively and record observations from their patrolling duty efficiently and accurately.
The training started with a classroom presentation at Mazbat range office premises on basic introduction to GPS and its different functionalities by Prosenjit Sheel, a senior project officer with Aaranyak and the field practicals were assisted by Pronit Basumatary and Gayatri Dutta from Aaranyak.
In addition to GPS basics, the frontline employees were trained to do patrol navigation using GPS which was new to them. Besides, area calculations by using GPS devices were trained to the frontline forest staff.
From Aaranyak, Birdutta Baro also attended the training.
Nila Das, in-charge & deputy ranger of Mazbat range office expressed his gratitude towards Aaranyak team for conducting the training as the forest staff would be confident in using GPS devices in the field.
Bibhungsha Baglary, forester-I, expressed his willingness to impart the knowledge from the training to other staff of the division.
The frontline forest employees said the training was fruitful to them as they learned many new things during the training.
They highlighted the training need of this nature more for the frontline staff and have requested Aaranyak to conduct more refresher GPS training at least twice a year.
Patrollers liked ‘the patrol navigation using the GPS’ part and expressed that the training would immensely be helpful for them in navigating to a point effectively and accurately, Aaranyak said.