Preparation and quick coordinated action to save human and animal lives were emphasised at a workshop organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI).
The four-day Disaster Relief Workshop and Emergency Relief Network has been organised by IFAW-WTI in collaboration with Assam Forest Department for animal rescuers and rehabilitators from across the country.
"Preparation and quick and coordinated action are key priorities to save lives during disasters, whether for humans or animals," IFAW's Manager, Animal Rescue, Disaster Response and Risk Reduction, Shannon Walajyts, said.
"This workshop will not just train rehabilitators individually but also strengthen the fraternity to mobilise coordinated action during disasters," she added.
The ERN is an IFAW-WTI initiative to bring the animal rescuers working for India's wildlife and domestic animals. on one common platform.
The workshop, which began yesterday, would discuss diaster scenarios in the country like floods, earthquake, storms and others, disaster management, assessment, response and recovery along with other wildlife rescue issues.
These will be followed by practical hands-on exercises, led by the technical rescue experts of IFAW which include rope rescue to remove an injured animal from a tree or high structure and low angle rope rescue such as pulling animals out of deep pits etc.
Water rescue techniques will include ferrying responders and equipment across water bodies.
Altogether 40 participants from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Kerala are attending the workshop.
