Training
Apart from staff of PTR, trainings are imparted on various subjects to various agencies including EDCs, other institutions and stakeholders.
Park level: Following trainings were imparted to PTR as part of capacity building. The training are envisaged to improve the scientific skills of field staff of PTR. Trainings provided during the year include use of Global Positioning System (GPS), camera traps, collection of meteorological data such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc. However, the GPS training has also been extended to field staff belonging to Munnar (Wildlife). The data is also being collected and regularly updated in the database maintained by the ECB Division. The training on wildlife management and field techniques are also imparted to the staff at park level.
Landscape Level: Trainings for censusing tigers, elephants, ecotourism, management techniques and coordination of the All-Kerala Tiger Census and Elephant Census were carried out by Periyar Foundation. Around 400 staff members of the KFD were trained for conducting the tiger census and around 1000 staff for conducting elephant census by the Periyar Foundation. Apart from the above, special exposure training programmes especially on Ecodevelopment were conducted for various teams from different protected areas in Periyar Tiger Reserve. For more reading refer Annual Report.
Training to all professional group EDCs in PTR: Trainings on identification of animals and important plants, techniques of using field equipments, various census and monitoring methods, etc were given to the professional group EDCs such as Vidiyal Vana Padukappu Sangam, Ex-vayana bark collectors, PETS in Thekkady and Vallakadavu. Other professional group EDCs will be provided with the training within the current year.
Other Institutions: Trainings in association with Atree, Wildlife Institute of India, KILA, Kerala Forest Development Corporation, Zoo Outreach Organization have been conducted by Periyar Foundation. For more reading refer Annual Report.
Stakeholders:
Guruswamy Honouring Programme: Lord Ayyappa’s Sabarimala shrine situated inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous pilgrimage centres in South India. Lakhs of devotees from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other states visit Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa and climb the 18 sacred steps in front of the shrine during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, which extends to 41 days beginning from mid November to mid January. In this scenario, it has been decided by Periyar Foundation to honour the Guruswamys from all over the country at Periyar Tiger Reserve in a befitting manner and to share their valuable experiences and suggestions for the better management of Sabarimala pilgrimage and Poongavanam. A total of 13 Guruswamys from different parts of Tamil Nadu came for the three day honouring programme. Most of them were very senior Guruswamys and some of them had 62 years of experience in Sabarimala. They prepare thousands of devotes to Sabarimala every year. Field Director, Deputy Directors of Periyar East and West Divisions, Ecotourism Officer, Honourable Pandalam Raja, Dr.K. Kunhikrishnan, Rtd. Registrar Cochin University anchored certain sessions.
Women Journalists Camp: Periyar Foundation in association with PTR conducted a 3-day nature sensitization camp for women journalists from all over Kerala. They were sensitized on various topics related to forest and wildlife management and the issues therein.