Haldwani, April 19 -- The Haldwani forest division has set up four temporary rescue centres in the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining landscape across Nainital and Champawat districts, in a bid to address rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict. The initiative aims to strengthen rescue, treatment and management of wildlife involved in conflict situations, while ensuring a quicker response near incident sites. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Kundan Kumar said the centres have been established in the Nandhaur, Chhakata, Danda and Sharda ranges of the division. "These temporary rescue centres will function as immediate response units to provide temporary shelter to rescued wildlife, administer first aid to injured animals and facilitate post-mortem examinations in cases where animals are found dead," he said. Kumar said the move will significantly reduce response time and enable prompt action in emergency situations. "By providing facilities closer to conflict-prone areas, the department aims to improve survival chances of injured wildlife and manage tense situations near human settlements more effectively." He added that the primary objective of the centres is to ensure safe handling of wildlife during rescue operations and provide immediate medical assistance when required. "This will help minimise casualties and improve coordination during emergencies," he said. The centres have been equipped with essential facilities, including first-aid kits, cages and equipment for safe capture and transportation of animals. Trained forest personnel have been deployed at each centre to carry out rescue operations and ensure safety of wildlife and locals, officials said. "Community participation is crucial in reducing incidents of human-wildlife conflict. Residents are being educated about precautionary measures and the importance of informing authorities promptly in case of wildlife sightings," he said. htc...