A new report by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), titled “Guardians of the Wild: Supporting India’s Frontline Forest Staff,” was officially released in Abu Dhabi by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh. The launch took place during the IUCN World Conservation Congress at the International Ranger Award Ceremony, hosted by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
The release event saw the presence of several prominent conservation leaders, including Mr. Vivek Menon, IUCN Councillor and Executive Director of WTI; Mr. Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); Ms. Madhu Rao, Chair of the IUCN WCPA; and H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
The report shines a light on the courage and hardships of India’s frontline forest staff—often referred to globally as rangers or Van Rakshaks—who work tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s biodiversity. It chronicles WTI’s 25-year journey of supporting these forest defenders through stories from the field, powerful images, and a gallery honouring 540 rangers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty.
Across India’s 1,100 protected areas and countless natural habitats, forest staff are tasked with round-the-clock patrolling, wildlife monitoring, managing human-wildlife conflict, tackling poaching and wildlife crime, and responding to emergencies—frequently under life-threatening conditions.
WTI’s Van Rakshak Project (VRP), launched in 2000 with support from IFAW, has been at the heart of this effort. Over 21,000 frontline personnel have benefited from the project’s capacity-building initiatives, which include training workshops on wildlife crime prevention, conflict mitigation, and rescue operations, along with the distribution of essential field gear to improve safety and efficiency.
A key component of the initiative is the Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme, designed to provide immediate financial aid to forest staff—or their families—in cases of injury or death while on duty. Since 2001, assistance has been extended to 367 individuals or families, with 74% of the cases involving fatalities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTI further supported 173 families through the Conservation Heroes COVID Casualty Fund.
Speaking at the release, Union Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized the high-risk nature of the work carried out by India’s forest staff. He noted that the report underscores WTI’s long-standing commitment to the welfare of these workers and the importance of community-driven conservation efforts.
Mr. Vivek Menon, Founder and Executive Director of WTI and Councillor at IUCN, 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. We are deeply honoured to have Hon’ble MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh release Guardians of the Wild at the IUCN WCC, a moment that reinforces the global significance of their role in conservation.”
Adding to this, Mr. Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW, remarked, “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. This report is not only a tribute to their service, but a call to action: to invest in the people who make conservation possible.”
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