Inaugural Session
A Certificate Course on Nature Interpretation for Zoo Guide Training is being organized by ENVIS Resource Partner “Wildlife and Protected Areas Management”, Wildliffe Institute of India, Dehradun, in association with Central Zoo Authority and Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad. The course is a 10 day programme from 30th November to 9th December, 2019.
The Function began by lighting of the lamp by the honourable mayor of Ahmedabad, Smt. Bijalben Patel and representatives of all the organisations coordinating for the course i.e. ENVIS Resource Partner “Wildlife and Protected Areas Management”, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Central Zoo Authority and Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad
At the outset, Dr. Bitapi Sinha, Scientist G, Wildlife Institute of India and Course Director welcomed the delegates with a book and introduced all the organisers. She then spoke about the course, its objectives and what it plans to achieve as an outcome.
The first phase is being held for the zoos based in the western region and explained Ahmedabad was chosen as the venue because Kamla Nehru Zoo is a model that everyone can follow and the city in itself has a lot to teach. She encouraged the participants from different states to learn from each other, grow during the course and keep in contact even after the course ends to attain the ultimate objective of learning and becoming good Zoo Guides. She also informed everyone about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, menace of plastics and that this it was a plastic free event and the importance of same.
Dr. Devendra Thakur, Evaluation and Monitoring Officer, Central Zoo Authority introduced the participants to the objective of the course, how after the then Environment Minister, Dr. Harshvardhan suggested to start a green skilling programme of zoos and after brainstorming sessions with experts, the idea of the course came about.
They identified 8 different aspects where training of personnel is required and Zoo Guides is the first of them to start with. Dr. R. K. Sahu, Director, Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad, said it was an honour that the first course is being held in Ahmedabad. He told the students how everyday there is new information to learn. And this course would help them become good zoo guides and open new opportunities for them.
Smt. Bijalben Patel, the honourable mayor of Ahmedabad, then addressed the gathering and spoke about how pleased and honoured she was that the course was being held in the city. She welcomed everyone to the heritage city of Ahemdabad.
She said she was sure this course will sharpen the knowledge and improve the skills of the participants. She spoke about how all of us travel to places and certainly have interests to see a new place, learn about it But to make the visit enjoyable we look forward to some guidance and information beyond Google and Wikipedia.
This information is provided by trained guides in an easy to understand language with correct facts and not fiction. She spoke about her personal connection and interest in animals and in development of Zoos. She also reminded everyone about how hazardous the single-use plastic had become.
We also need to look at the traditional material used earlier like cloth bags, clay pot, wood for furniture, steel as containers and metal-ware as storage etc. She wished everyone a successful course and an enjoyable stay with good the memories of Ahmedabad.
Dr. Bitapi Sinha presented a memento to the mayor as a token of appreciation and Ms. Sounika Karmakar, Programme Officer, ENVIS Resource Partner, Wildlife Institute of India closed the inaugural session with a vote of Thanks.
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Glimpses of Event
