Pune Forest division to form a fully equipped and dedicated Rapid Response Team

Keeping in mind the recent man – animal conflicts, wild animals straying into the city limits and citizens caught off guard, Pune Forest division officer, deputy conservator of forests, Rahul Patil has undertaken an initiative of training the forest department officials on how to handle such critical situations. 

Renuka Suryavanshi 

Pune Forest Department has decided to form a fully equipped and dedicated Wildlife Rescue Teams as Rapid Response Team (RRT) which will be available 24/7. 

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Rahul Patil, deputy conservator of forests, Pune, he said, “This is for the first time that forest department is holding such Initiative. This makes it even more important on the background of the recent wild animals straying into the city limits which made it difficult for everyone to handle. This workshop shall be initially held only for the department officials under the expert guidance of NGO’s. So far 19 forest department staff has been trained on how to handle such critical situations. It includes rescue, tranquilising, etc.” 

Our team recently visited the Amravati division ofice and took some learnings from the team who has been currently working on the same guidelines which are formed for rescue operation and other critical care, Patil further said. 

He also stated that there has been a guideline on which this workshop shall be held. This workshop shall be held on first Saturday of every month. Rescue van shall be available 24*7. Mobile phones shall be made available for informing any such incidents to the office. People involved in such rescue operation shall be conferred with appreciation certificate or medal, tranquilising guns, rescue cages, etc shall be made available. 

Patil further informed that after a span of three to four months, local volunteers shall also be trained in handling such situations.