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KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY AND KERALA FOREST DEPARTMENT SIGNED MoU FOR COLLABORATION IN WILDLIFE WELFARE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) and the Kerala Forest Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in wildlife welfare, education and research on the 29th of May, 2014, at the Head Quarters of the former at Pookode, Wayanad. The development is deemed to be a great step in bringing together experts from either side for mutual benefit and for the benefit of all stakeholders like the students of the University, science and public.
The main objectives of the collaboration are to ensure mutual co-operation in the training and research requirements on both sides, teaching of MS (Wildlife Studies) students and meeting the training requirements of the Forest Department, co-operation in the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict for the benefit of farmers and public, co-operation in wildlife forensics etc. The MoU was signed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Sri. G. Harikumar IFS, and the Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr. B. Ashok IAS.
Dr. B. Ashok IAS, Vice Chancellor of KVASU suggested that University has established working relations for collaboration with organizations like Kerala Forest Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK, and University of Calgary, Canada, already for student training and research. The present MoU with the Kerala Forest Department is another major step, through the implementation of which we look forward to provide better exposure to our students in Forest Department related issues, improve opportunities for applied research in issues faced by the forest department and to collaborate in the long term and short term training of the Forest Department staff.
Dr. K.P. Sreekumar, Registrar, KVASU, expressed immense pleasure at the signing of the MoU between the two organizations. “This is a historic moment for our University’s wildlife mission. This collaboration will ensure that the students of our MS (Wildlife Studies) programme will benefit a lot in their training and research. Also, the expertise and infrastructure of our University will be available for meeting the day-to-day managemental and training needs of the Forest Department”.
The signing of the MoU was followed by a detailed discussion on the further development of the collaborative venture. Sri. Pramod G. Krishnan (Conservator of Forests, Palakkad), Sri. Roy P. Thomas IFS (Deputy Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary), Sri. Narendranath Veluri IFS (Assistant Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary), Sri. A. Shanawaz (Divisional Forest Officer, North Wayanad Division) and Sri. M. Vimal (Assistant Conservator of Forests, Palakkad Wildlife Circle) participated in the discussions from the side of the Forest Department. Dr. K.P. Sreekumar (Registrar, KVASU), Dr. S. Ramkumar (Director of Entrepreneurship, KVASU), Sri. Sunny Thomas (Chief Engineer, KVASU), Dr. K. Anilkumar (Associate Dean, Veterinary College, Pookode) and Dr, George Chandy, Officer-in-Charge, KVASU Centre for Wildlife Studies, participated in the function.