WWF-India Hyderabad Office and Amrabad Tiger Reserve under the aegis of Telangana State forest department started a two day refresher workshop for the Chenchus who were trained earlier to become nature guides.
Thirty fiveChenchus were trained as nature guides in conducting nature trails for visitors, hospitality management, Basic English vocabulary, history and geology of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, flora identification and indirect wildlife signs identification.
The services of these trained nature guides have been utilised by both WWF-India and Forest Department for nature camp and trails. Mr P K Jha, IFS, PCCF (HoFF) has said that the Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) has excellent scenic location and the Chenchus- local tribal community have excellent knowledge about the locations as well the plants and animals. These trained guides will be utilised in the tourist circuits and safaris that are being developed by the Department.
The programme is being conducted with support from MrMunindra, IFS, Addl PCCF Wildlife and in-charge Chief Wildlife Warden and Mr C P Vinod Kumar, IFS, Field Director, Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
Mr C P Vinod Kumar, IFS interacted with the trainees and explained to them on how the services of Nature Guides will be utilized on rotation basis. He also mentioned that some of them will be taught driving and made capable to drive the safari vehicles.
Prof J V D Moorty, an avid bird watcher and a language trainer conducted sessions on enhancing English language vocabulary through on-field sessions. MsShanthi, Hospitality Trainer conducted a session on speaking and presentation skills while interacting with visitors. MrMohd Abdul Rasheed conducted a session on survival skills and basic first aid.
Ms Farida Tampal mentioned that, ‘ the WWF will continue these capacity building programmes for the Chenchus and build it up as a sustainable source of income for them’. She also informed that amongst the 35 trainees, there are 3 bright Chenchu women who are keen to become Nature Guides.