Kaziranga’s conservation model goes global: 44 foreign officials join landmark training programme

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 12, 2025

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to shine as a global model for wildlife conservation. Home to the world’s largest population of greater one-horned rhinoceroses and a rich array of biodiversity, Kaziranga has now become the stage for an international exchange of conservation expertise.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, 44 wildlife and conservation professionals from 27 countries will attend an exclusive Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) executive course on capacity building for wildlife and conservation practitioners at Kaziranga from February 10 to 16.

This programme, jointly organized by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, is a testament to India’s leadership in conservation efforts.

Kaziranga’s diverse landscapes host an incredible variety of species, including the “Big Five”—greater one-horned rhinoceroses (2,613 as per the 2022 census), Bengal tigers (104 in 2022), Asian elephants (projected at over 1,200 in 2024), wild water buffalos (2,565 in 2022), and eastern swamp deer (1,129 in 2022). Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), Kaziranga’s wetlands provide sanctuary to numerous waterbird species, further strengthening its global ecological significance.

The ITEC programme, spearheaded by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, fosters international cooperation through knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building in key sectors, including environmental conservation. This year’s program, fully conducted inside a national park for the first time, reflects a growing emphasis on real-world, field-based conservation training.

Participants will engage in specialized sessions covering big cat conservation, best management practices, conservation planning, effectiveness in managing heritage sites, technology-driven conservation, rhino conservation, and community engagement strategies. This initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in April 2023 to drive global efforts in big cat conservation.

The programme was formally inaugurated on Tuesday, attended by Assam Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, and other dignitaries, including Sandeep Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Dr. Vinay Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, and Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav, Interim Director General of IBCA.

Kaziranga’s conservation model is now being shared with the world, fostering global collaboration in protecting our planet’s most precious wildlife.