A report on 25 years of support for wildlife warriors by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has highlighted the role of India’s forest protectors.
The report, Guardians of the Wild: Supporting India’s Frontline Forest Staff, features 540 rangers who were killed or injured in the line of duty. It includes personal narratives from the field.
A WTI spokesperson said the report was released by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (October 11, 2025). It was released along with WTI’s Executive Director and IUCN Councillor Vivek Menon, IFAW President and CEO Azzedine Downes, IUCN-WPCA Chair Madhu Rao, and Abu Dhabi Environment Agency’s Secretary General Shaikha Salem al Dhaheri.
IUCN, IFAW, and WPCA expand to International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and World Commission on Protected Areas, respectively.
The report, released during the IUCN-WCPA International Ranger Award Ceremony at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, spotlights the critical role and immense challenges faced by India’s frontline forest staff, the “unsung heroes” safeguarding the rich biodiversity in the country.
India’s Van Rakshaks, known globally as forest rangers, are responsible for protecting more than 1,100 protected areas and numerous other forests and natural habitats. Their duties include round-the-clock patrolling, wildlife monitoring, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, combating wildlife crime, and responding to emergencies, often under life-threatening conditions.
The WTI launched the Van Rakshak Project (VRP) in 2000 with the IFAW’s support. It aimed at building a strong, well-equipped, and motivated force of frontline forest staff across India. The project has supported more than 21,000 personnel nationwide through a diverse range of capacity-strengthening initiatives.
These include training workshops focused on wildlife crime prevention, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and basic wildlife rescue techniques. It also involves the provision of essential field gear, crucial for patrolling and safety.
A key component of the VRP is the Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme, which offers immediate financial assistance to frontline forest staff, including temporary and daily wage workers, in the event of injury or death in the line of duty.
Since 2001, financial aid has been provided to 367 frontline staff or their families, with nearly 74% of these cases involving fatalities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTI extended support to 173 families of forest staff who lost their lives through a dedicated Conservation Heroes COVID Casualty Fund.
“The significant risks faced by India’s frontline forest staff underscore the importance of ensuring their well-being. The report reflects the WTI’s commitment to protecting the interests of the frontline staff and confirms that wildlife conservation is most effective when carried out from the ground up,” Mr. Singh said.
“This report honours the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of India’s Van Rakshaks and highlights the urgent need for more investment, recognition, and support for those who protect our natural heritage,” Mr. Menon said.
“Frontline forest staff are the backbone of conservation, often risking their lives to protect wildlife and their habitats. For over two decades, IFAW has stood in solidarity with these brave individuals across India—supporting them, learning from them, and bearing witness to their extraordinary courage,” Mr. Downes said.
Published – October 12, 2025 03:16 pm IST
