XXVII Certificate Course in Wildlife Management

XXVII Certificate Course in Wildlife Management

(1 November 2011 to 31 January 2012)

Wildlife Institute of India

Course Background

The conservation of biological diversity through the establishment and management of national parks and sanctuaries is now globally recognized.  Conservation today is not only important in such Protected Areas (PAs) but also significant in adjoining managed forests and habitations.  Forestry certainly is an appropriate professional background for managing national parks and sanctuaries yet this background alone is not sufficient. Management of PAs requires personnel with appropriate knowledge and skills in all aspects of wildlife and PA management.  Hence,  the Certificate Course in Wildlife Management was started in the year 1985 and 26 such courses have so far been completed.

Course Objectives

Scientific management of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries requires professional inputs from  Range Forest Officers or equivalent ranks.  These officers are assigned a wide array of tasks such as conducting wildlife population estimation, organizing anti-poaching operations, assisting in research, recording visitor statistics and dealing with people. The 3-month Certificate Course aims to train Range Forest Officers or equivalent ranks in practical day-to-day management of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. This is achieved by imparting knowledge in the basics of biodiversity and wildlife conservation, understand the Management Plan prescriptions and learn techniques to implement  them.

Eligibility

The course is meant for in-service Officers of the rank of Range Forest Officers or equivalent.

Foreign candidates with equivalent forestry/environmental science background and field experience can also be admitted in the course, provided they have adequate knowledge of English.

Both Indian and Foreign candidates should preferably be below 35 years of age and not more than 40 years on November 1, 2011.  They should be fit to withstand the arduous outdoor training programme.

Nomination 

The nomination process usually starts with the Institute inviting nominations from the State Forest Deptts/Foreign Governments/Agencies  of eligible candidates. The curriculum-vitae alongwith passport details of foreign nationals are required to be filled in the prescribed form attached herewith and sent to Institute with the endorsement of the Sponsoring Agency alongwith the fee, where applicable. Admissions will be made on a `first-come-first serve’ basis subject to fulfilling of the laid down eligibility criteria..

The Institute also accepts nominations from foreign nationals of requisite qualification sponsored by Global Tiger Forum and other funding agencies.

Duration

The duration of the course is three months covering one academic session from 1st November 2011 to 31st January  2012.

Attendance

Course Contents

The broad outline of the course structure includes the following modules:-

a. Wildlife Species and Habitats

b. Population Ecology and Animal Abundance

c. Wildlife Management

d. Wildlife Health and Population Management

e. Wildlife Outreach

Field Tours

Wildlife Orientation-cum-Techniques Tour:  Introduction to field techniques in monitoring, measuring and describing wildlife habitats.  Trainees undertake exercises in mapping and measurement of habitat parameters, wildlife abundance estimation techniques  and description of wildlife populations, capture and handling of wild animals and health care.

Wildlife Management Tour: Visiting selected protected areas and zoological gardens to study and evaluate management practices.  Emphasis is placed on wildlife protection measures, field operations, control of biotic pressures, tourism management, control of wildlife damage and habitat management practices. Trainees maintain field note books and tour journals for  recording  field observations and activities.

In addition, field visits to nearby Protected Areas/Institutions/Organizations/Zoos are also organized from time to time during the period of training.

Award of Certificate

A Certificate will be awarded only to those candidates who secure 50% or more aggregate

marks in the class room tests, wildlife management field practicals and other examinations. A candidate must secure at least 50% marks in each subject. Those who fail to qualify are awarded a Certificate of Attendance. An honour certificate will be awarded to those who secure 75% and above in the aggregate.

Training Cost

*   Indian candidates

All expenses for the candidates nominated by the State Forest Departments will be borne by the Institute.  The expenses include boarding and lodging for the entire duration of the course at Institute’s HQ as well as to and fro travel fares (while joining and returning from the place of posting) as per WII TA Rules, expenses on field tours, field equipment, camping gear, books/study material, sports gear, hostel accommodation, tuition fee and miscellaneous expenses.  For the duration of the training, the medical bill reimbursement, if any, will be made by the respective State Governments, as per prevailing rules of the State Govt.

*   Foreign Nationals including GTF & other sponsored candidates                    US $ 3,625

The training allowance and to & fro travel expenses of the candidates while joining/returning from the course would be borne by the Sponsoring Government/Agency and paid to the candidate separately as per their norms.  Board and lodging for the entire duration of the course are included in the course fee. The course fee also include local travelling and camping, field gear/stationery and books/study materials. The sponsoring agencies are advised to insure sponsored candidates comprehensively for any medical treatment for the duration of the training.

A bank draft of the above amount should be sent in the favour of the Director, Wildlife Institute of India payable at Dehradun at the time of admission of foreign candidates to the course.

Deadline

The nominations of the foreign  and Indian candidates duly completed in all respects should reach this Institute latest by 15th September, 2011 and 30th September 2011 respectively.

Please also send copy by email to the Dean ( dean@wii.gov.in ) for information.