Srinagar January 17 (KNS): A Three Day vocational training course on Wilderness First Aid & Leave No Trace under Green India Mission- Enhancement of livelihood’ was concluded today at Lecture Hall, Police Training School Manigam Ganderbal. The course was conducted by J&K Forest Department in consultation with HANIFL centre, Woodstock School, Mussorie, Dehradun and in collaboration with J&K Mountaineering and Adventure Club and Police training school Manigam.  Two instructors have flown in from the school for the course. Around 25 Beneficiaries, identified from villages of Sonamarg, Gagangeer, Kullan Ganderbal, who act as local eco-guides on the different Forest Treks of the district are part of the training course. The certificate is of International recognition and shall provide opportunities for enhanced livelihood to the beneficiaries. Also, once trained, the beneficiaries may also be helpful to the administration during relief and rescue operations in the event of Natural disasters like flood, landslides, Forest Fires etc.

Earlier, the training course was virtually inaugurated by Conservator of Forests Srinagar Circle, Zubair Ahmed Shah, who in his inaugural address dwelt  upon the Green India Mission of the Government and its underlying objective of enhancing livelihood opportunities of the forest communities viz a viz Forest Protection. He also spoke  on role of forests in  eco-tourism  and how such trained eco-guides can go in long way to boost the sustainable tourism in the valley. He also laid emphasis on the need of wilderness First Aid in Forest management.

The concluding session was presided by Mehmood Ahmad shah, Director Handicrafts Kashmir and mentor of J&K Mountaineering and Adventure Club who distributed the Certificates among the trainees. DFO Sindh, DYSP Adm Police Training school, RO Sindh, RO Control Room, Director HANIFL Centre along with his instructor, Inspector and Officers of Sindh Forest Division and Police training School were part of the occasion.(KNS)