WTI holds wildlife ID workshop in Kiphire

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Nagaland Forest Department and supported by the Pangolin Crisis Fund, conducted a Wildlife Article Identification Workshop for enforcement officials in Kiphire district on October 18.
This first-of-its-kind workshop in the Kiphire division aimed to build the capacity of forest and police personnel to identify wildlife articles and curb illegal wildlife trade in one of Nagaland’s most remote and sensitive border districts.
Wildlife Warden of Kiphire, Siechutho Katiry, inaugurated the programme as chief guest. In his address, he lauded WTI’s initiative and stressed the need for collective action against wildlife poaching and trafficking. He described conservation as a responsibility towards future generations.
The technical session was led by Monesh Singh Tomar, Assistant Manager and Officer-in-Charge, WTI, who served as the resource person. He delivered sessions on wildlife crime trends, identification of trafficked articles, and the growing pangolin trade in the region. Tomar emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration to combat commercial hunting and trafficking.
A total of 31 officials from the Forest Department, Wildlife Division, and Police Department participated in the workshop, which included hands-on identification exercises, case discussions, and strategies to improve intelligence sharing.
The workshop was coordinated by Chingrisoror Rumthao and A.R. Tizeve of WTI. Organizers noted that Kiphire’s proximity to international routes makes it a critical zone for monitoring wildlife trafficking, particularly of pangolins—among the world’s most trafficked mammals.