Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University plans wildlife centre

KOZHIKODE: The academic council of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences Unive-rsity (KVASU) has cleared the proposal to set up an exclusive Western Ghats Regional Institute for Wildlife Research and Tribal Welfare that seeks to bring together wildlife care and tribal development. Dr George Chandy, head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) of the university, said primary discussions on the project are already over. “We now await the clearance of the varsity managing committee which includes people’s representatives and other experts,” he said, adding that an exclusive centre would help attract experts with high standing and facilities and would also train a new set of professionals.

Dr Chandy said wildlife care is impossible without the involvement of tribal communities. “They have the traditional wisdom and knowledge in wildlife care and better wildlife management which we can utilise,” he said. The new initiative will add to the CWS’s functioning in tribal welfare projects. To be set up in Wayanad, the centre can cater to all the major wildlife regions of south India including Wayanad, Bandipur and Nagarhole (Karnataka) and Muthumalai (Tamil Nadu).