Kolkata,: WCS - India Country Director Ms. Prakriti Srivastava, IFS and Research Consultant Sahila Kudalkar met with the Inspector General, Mr. Rajesh Mishra, IPS and Deputy Inspector General Mr. R.V. Raghavacharlu, IPS at Kolkata as part of the partnership with the Border Security Forces to combat wildlife trafficking on India’s borders. Today, the team visited the BSF checkpost at Gojadanga where they had a very productive discussion with the Assistant Commandant Mr. Pradeep Kumar, and Sub Inspector Mr. Pardeep Vats, 153 Batallion and Sub Inspector Mr. Girish Gogoi, SHQ Kolkata and Inspector Mr. S.K. Meena. They familiarized the team with the realities of life as a BSF jawan, and expressed a strong interest in sensitizing BSF personnel to illegal smuggling of wildlife across the Indo-Bangla border. WCS - India team was also encouraged by the dedication with which young BSF jawans serve the country. The team was accompanied on this visit by Head Constable Mr. Rajesh Gosain of the BSF. WCS - India is hopeful that the project will help combat wildlife trafficking in close engagement with the multiple government partners such as the BSF.
WCS-India team with BSF personnel during the field visit to the Indo-Bangla border
(Left to Right) SI Pardeep Vats, SI Girish Gogoi, AC Pradeep Kumar of the BSF with Prakriti Srivastava and Sahila Kudalkar, WCS-India
WCS-India Country Director Ms. Prakriti Srivastava, IFS and Research Consultant Sahila Kudalkar presented a memento on behalf of WCS-India to the Inspector General, BSF Mr. Rajesh Mishra, IPS
WCS-India Country Director Ms. Prakriti Srivastava, IFS receives a memento from the Inspector General, BSF Mr. Rajesh Mishra, IPS