The Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday organized its annual joint weapons training at Bhalukpong along Assam-Arunachal inter-state boundary.
During the annual joint weapons training as many as 114 frontline staff from the Pakke Tiger Reserve, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Nameri National Park in Assam and Sinchung-Bugun Community Reserve participated.
Personnel from 24 Assam Rifles participated in the training programme as resource persons.
The day-long programme included training on general upkeep, maintenance of weapons, various combat techniques, followed by a firing trial for the participants.
Sankar Nayang, an elephant mahout, BorsingKro and John Tana emerged as the best three trainees.
Speaking on the occasion, Range Officer Kime Rambia was of the opinion that the annual weapons training facilitates in forming a skilled and confident forest protection team.
Pakke Tiger Reserve DFO, Tana Tapi who was also present at the training camp urged the participants to take advantage of such trainings.
He also said that frontline staffs are the backbone of protected areas.
Chief Wildlife Warden Dr R Kemp assured that the welfare of the frontline staffs will be taken care of.
Earlier, PCCF & Principal Secretary Omkar Singh flagged off the event, which is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT).
Compensation to family of beat guard: A remembrance meet for those who had laid down their lives on duty was also held during the day.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in association with the ICICI bank gave a cheque of Rs three lakh to the widow of Rajen Naag, a beat guard who died while on duty in Pakke.
An amount of Rs 96,000, raised from crowd funding through was also handed over to Rajen’s son, Sanjay.
The Wildlife Trust of India had also provided compensation to Rajen’s family earlier this year.