269 foresters of southern region attended training on snake handling organized by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forest Research and Training (UWIFoRT) and in collaboration with the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) with financial assistance from Bhutan for Life (BFL). Bhutan has a wide distributional range of venomous snakes consisting of Cobras, Kraits, and Vipers and its potential risk of envenomation by this species throughout the low and intermediate elevations of Bhutan. The snake bite is recognized as one of the major occupational health hazards for the foresters particularly those serving in southern Bhutan. Further, foresters have to provide species rescue services to the community. Thus, the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) felt the need to provide the training as well as an important step towards saving the serpentine faunal species.
The goal of the training workshop is to train forestry officials in handling snake in the field and reduce indiscriminate killing of snakes and save human lives from snake bites as well as create conducive environment for harmonious co-existence snakes and human. The training workshop’s main objectives are to provide information on basic identification through simple morphological descriptions of species, distinguishing venomous and non-venomous snakes, signs and clinical features of venomous snake bites, first aid in case of venomous snake bites. Further, the participants will be briefed on its ecological significance of snake conservation and other prevention methods for snake bites. The training was attended by foresters of territorial forest division of Gedu, Samtse, Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, Tsirang, and Zhemgang and protected area systems of Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Royal Manas National Park, Gelephu.
The training was conducted by Mr. Bal Krishna Koirala, Senior Forest Officer of PWS and facilitated by Dr. Sangay of the Education and Capacity Building Services of the UWIFoRT.
Participants of Gedu Forest Division along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Samtse Forest Division along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Samdrup Jongkhar Forest Division along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Manas Range of RMNP, Panbang Range of Zhemgang Forest Division and Bhutan Tiger Centre of NCD.
Participants of Royal Manas National Park and Gelephu Range of Sarpang Forest Division.
Participants of Sarpang Forest Division along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
Participants of Tsirang Forest Division along with their Chief Forestry Officer.
-Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training
