Ricoh signs agreement with WWF-India to provide need-based infrastructure support

KOLKATA: Japanese technology firm Ricoh has signed an agreement with WWF-India to provide need-based infrastructure support to frontline and field staff working in the forest and marine areas for monitoring species such as the red panda, snow leopard, tiger, elephant, rhino, olive Ridley turtle and other threatened fish diversity, coral reefs, cetaceans and marine mammals.

Under this collaboration, around 200 high-end Pentax binoculars will be handed over to the frontline staff of forest departments of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Sikkim and West Bengal to support wildlife monitoring and patrolling activities.

These binoculars will not only help improve vigilance capacity of the staff but also keep them motivated and interested in wildlife, a media release said. The water-proof cameras will also be extensively used by the WWF-India team working in marine habitats across five coastal states of Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Lakshadweep Island.

WWF-India secretary general and CEO Ravi Singh said frontline staff in forests are the protectors of our natural habitats, responsible for safeguarding wildlife populations.

“In coastal areas, our field staff ensure safety of several marine species. We thank Ricoh India for their contribution by way of field equipment which will be provided to some frontline units, thereby enhancing their capacity and morale. Such joint collaborations are contributory to conservation measures in the country,” he said.