MR. ATHAPOL CHAROENSHUNSA, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, presided over the opening of the training course to enhance the effectiveness of SMART patrols and the SMART Patrol Center, along with Mr. Rungroj Aswakultharintr, Director of the 12th Regional Conservation Office (Nakhon Sawan), on February 27, 2024, at Mae Wong National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province.
As the SMART Patrol System is based on data-driven management principles, the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Office 12 (Nakhon Sawan), in collaboration with the SMART Patrol Center and supported by the WWF Foundation, has organized a ‘Training Program to Enhance the Efficiency and Techniques of SMART Patrols.’ This five-day training program, held from February 27 to March 2, 2024, was designed to equip 45 officers from Mae Wong National Park, Klong Lan National Park, Klong Wang Chao National Park, Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Khao Sanam Priang Wildlife Sanctuary with the skills, strategies, and techniques needed to effectively and safely carry out prevention and enforcement tasks in their respective areas, said Mr. Ruangroj Atsawakultharind, Director of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Office 12 (Nakhon Sawan).
The SMART Patrol Center is responsible for developing standards for SMART patrols in protected areas, coordinating and monitoring the performance of rangers, and promoting activities to enhance patrol efficiency. The center also collects, analyzes, and reports on patrol results.
MR. ATHAPOL CHAROENSHUNSA, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stated,“ A crucial component of a quality patrol system is a central hub for data collection, meetings, analysis, and processing. This hub should facilitate timely information exchange and be verifiable. Therefore, it is essential to have suitable tools and facilities to carry out these operations. I am very pleased with the collaboration between Mae Wong National Park and the WWF Foundation in upgrading the SMART Patrol Center meeting room to enhance operational efficiency. ”
