One day workshop

Report on One Day Workshop
20.06.2025

A "One day workshop" was conducted at Nandankanan on 20.06.2025 on the occasion of 50 years celebration of crocodile conservation in collaboration with Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Odisha (NWCSO).

The workshop was attended by 60 participants including members of NWCSO, Zoo field staff, Research, Education & Veterinary wing, Crocodile animal keepers of Nandankanan, Zoo interns and Zoo volunteers. The occasion was graced by expert talks by Sri Saroj Kumar Patnaik, former PCCF (WL) and President, NWCSO and Prof. Sudarsan Maharana, Advisor of Species Recovery of Gharial in river Mahanadi.

A video was played narrating the history of Gharial conservation in Odisha depicting role of Nandankanan through a short documentary. This was followed by a felicitation session of eminent personalities in crocodile conservation in Odisha and Nandankanan viz. Sri Saroj Kumar Patnaik and Prof. Sudarsan Maharana besides Zoo Keepers namely Sanjay Dash, Ajay Hansdah, Ajit Soren, Pathani Jena, Bhuja Ratha Dash and Trilochan Samal who are involved in crocodile conservation. A field visit was scheduled covering the gharial and mugger pool along with hatchery and yearling pool. A field demonstration to the zoo volunteers was assisted by Biologist, Dr Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra. The students from various universities and colleges interacted with the crocodile experts and cleared their doubts on crocodilian biology, their role in environment, threats and conservation needs in general.