File Photo: NDRF Chief OP Singh
In a first, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has decided to train its personnel in saving and handling livestock during calamities.
"We have decided to train our men in management of animals during emergencies and disasters. Our past experiences show that it becomes difficult to evacuate people from a disaster-hit area as they are financially and emotionally attached to their pets or livestock. We can proudly say that after the training, our men would be able to save them in a professional manner," NDRF Director-General OP Singh told PTI.
While the personnel of the force are trained to save human lives and provide them succour, there are no specific guidelines for them as to how to save precious livestock.
The Director-General said the force has tied up with an international non-government organisation (NGO) working in the domain of animal welfare, even as it has inked a deal for training them in at least half-a-dozen reputed veterinary colleges across the country.
The first such training will begin soon at the NDRF base in Guwahati.
"This training will be about a week-long. First, the master trainers will be trained and subsequently other troops will be imparted the skills. The training modules will make our troops understand the nuances of animal behaviour and characteristics before and during a disaster like floods or earthquake," Mr Singh, who developed the module after studying the best practises used in this domain across the world, said.
Officials said this is the first time that such a skill is being imparted to any agency in the country and only few countries like New Zealand and Canada have these procedures included in the training syllabii of their disaster mitigation and response teams.
"Not many countries have these drills charted out in their standard operating procedures. But, in India these skills are very important for disaster rescuers as we are an agrarian country and livestock is a valuable asset for people," they said.
About 10,000 personnel-strong NDRF, under the command of the Union Home Ministry, is the mandated lead force to respond to any disaster like emergency. Some of the past exploits of the force, where its personnel worked, includes combating the Uttarakhand rains fury in 2013 and the devastating Jammu and Kashmir floods last year.
Officials quoted an incident in September's flood in Jammu and Kashmir where over 250 cattle died during floods as none thought about doing a simple procedure to untie them from their latches.
The NDRF, the official said, has a motto that when we they are on the job, no one should die or suffer.
"Now, the force will make sure even animals are taken care of," he said.
The force will also purchase gadgets specifically made to rescue and provide aid to animals, they said.