Assam: Training programme on Rhino DNA indexing system held at Kaziranga National Park

Biswanath (Assam) [India], October 7 : In an effort to enhance the skills of forest personnel from Biswanath Wildlife Division stationed at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in investigating rhino-related crimes, a specialized training program on RhoDIS India (Rhino DNA Indexing System) was conducted at the National Park on Friday.
According to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve field director, Sonali Ghosh, 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 program as per the Standard Operating Procedure approved by the MoEFCC, Government of India, use of the field sampling kits for collecting biological evidence and maintaining the chain of custody and use of the Crime Investigation kit," Ghosh said.
She further said that one set of crime investigation kits as listed under the RhoDIS India was also handed over to the Biswanath Wildlife Division.
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 program has been adapted from the RhoDIS program developed by the 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," she further said.
The RhoDIS India program was initiated in 2016 and has been implemented across India since then. RhoDIS India laboratory for the analysis and creation of the rhino DNA database is hosted by the Wildlife Institute of India headed by Samrat Mondol.
She added that to date around 23 rhino crime cases from across India have 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 program that has been provided for use in the various rhino-bearing areas of India.
The training programme was inaugurated by Khagesh Pegu, DFO of the Division under Kaziranga NP and TR who stated that "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 the RhoDIS India program for introducing these cutting-edge tools to fight against poaching.
Around 25 forest staff from the Wildlife Division, and 5 officers and veterinary officials from the adjoining state veterinary offices attended in the programme.