A three-day training workshop on Building Capacity in GPS and GIS was organised by Aaranyak’s Geospatial Technology and Application Division in collaboration with the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Held from 26 to 28 November at the Extension Education Institute (NE Region) of Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, the workshop aimed to strengthen the technical skills of representatives from community-based organisations (CBOs) supported by SGP India.
The workshop opened with an inaugural session attended by prominent speakers, including Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director of TERI; Dr Bibhuti Lahkar, Program Secretary of Aaranyak; Prof Jagannath Ambagudia, Campus Director of TISS Guwahati; and Manish Kumar Pandey, National Coordinator of SGP, TERI. Other dignitaries included Nandita Hazarika from SGP-OP7 and Mridusmrita Devi, Head of Operations at Aaranyak. The speakers emphasised the growing relevance of geospatial tools like GPS and GIS in effective field data collection and community-driven conservation efforts.
The training sessions offered a comprehensive introduction to geospatial technologies, with technical expertise provided by Aaranyak’s team. Participants were introduced to map elements, GPS fundamentals, and open-source GIS software such as QGIS. They gained practical experience in GIS data preparation using Google Earth Pro. On the second day, participants visited Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary to engage in hands-on GPS data collection, supported by Range Officer Parineeta Singh of the Guwahati Wildlife Division. The fieldwork was followed by data visualisation exercises, where participants explored advanced techniques using QGIS, Basecamp, and Google Earth Pro. The final day involved advanced GIS techniques, including data preparation, editing, and creating professional map layouts.
The closing ceremony featured inspiring addresses from leading conservationists and administrators. Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, underscored the necessity of geospatial tools in advancing nature-based solutions with community involvement. Dr Rajumoni Bordoloi, Director of EEI, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General and CEO of Aaranyak, traced the origins and contributions of Aaranyak’s Geospatial Technology Division in supporting conservation organisations.
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Participants shared positive feedback, appreciating the practical, hands-on nature of the training and its focus on interdisciplinary conservation strategies. The workshop concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, symbolising the participants’ enhanced capacity to use GPS and GIS tools in their respective fields.
By equipping CBO representatives with advanced technical skills, Aaranyak and its partners aim to empower communities, fostering their active engagement in conservation efforts and strengthening regional initiatives.
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