Climate Action India Project #48112

Thank our Forest Guards this World Ranger Day

by Wildlife Trust of India

Project Report | May 5, 2026
Equip Forest Guards to Protect the Wildlife

By Akanksha Singh | Sr Programme Officer

Equip Forest Guards to Protect the Wildlife of India – 2025 - 26

Frontline forest staff are essential to wildlife conservation efforts, acting as the primary protectors on the ground. They patrol forests, combat threats like poaching, and bridge communities with protected areas. These workers, including permanent and temporary, conduct routine patrols covering 15-20 km in harsh conditions to deter poachers, illegal loggers, and encroachers. They safeguard endangered species, habitats, and resources like trees and minerals while assisting in rescues and veterinary care for injured animals. In the financial year 2025-26, we equipped forest department staff through 17 Rapid Action Projects across 9 states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

A total of 665 forest frontline staff were equipped with essential field gear in 23 forest divisions along with some field equipment. Field gear like jackets, sleeping bags, torches, rucksacks, boots, backpacks, raincoats, t-shirts and caps were provided to individuals for field preparedness. Equipment like weather stations, leaf blowers, camera traps, camping tents, snake rescue kits, water filters, lead-acid batteries, first-aid kits, fire-proof suits, and mosquito nets were also provided to assist in wildlife conservation efforts.

Details of equipment aid provided to each protected area is given below:

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh - Camera Traps (5), Camping tent (12), Trekking bag (30), Headlamps (30), Trekking boots (30), Snake Rescue Kits (2), and Portable Weather Station (4)
Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh - Rucksacks (50), Solar Rechargeable Torch (50), Sleeping Bags (50), Socks (50), and Boots (50)
Dibrugarh Forest Division, Assam - High-intensity Torch Lights (21), Basic Torch Lights (50), Shoes (50), Megaphones (7), Tarpaulin Sheets (30), and Winter Jackets (50)
Dhemaji Forest Division, Assam – Jackets (70), Caps (70), Jungle Boots (70), Torches (50), Water Filters (20), and Solar Home Kits (30).
Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, Assam - Torches (20), T-shirts (70), Backpacks (70), Caps (70), Gumboots (20), GPS (2), and Binoculars (3).
Golaghat Forest Division, Assam – Shoes (30), Jackets (30), High-Intensity Torchlight (30), SOS Torchlight (10), and Snake Rescue Kits (2)
Jamshedpur Forest Division, Jharkhand - Solar-powered Torchlights (280).
Muthanga Elephant Camp, Kerala- Raincoats (31), Blankets (24), Weather Coats (31), Dry Sheets (24), Bags (31), Rechargeable Torches (11), Search Lights (4), Tents (2), T-Shirts and Caps (31), Night Vision Binocular (1), Tarpaulin Sheets (2), Billhooks (13), Water Tank (4), and Plastic Bucket (11).
Chalakudy Forest Division, Kerala - AI trap cameras (6).
Sholayar Range, Kerala - Sleeping Bags (25), Headlamps (10), Jackets (25), Raincoats (25), Rucksacks (25), Torches (8), Snake Rescue Kits (6), Multimeters (3), Chainsaws (3), And Bill Hooks (9).
Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra - lead-acid batteries (20)
Yanambail Range, Telangana - Torchlights (11), Jackets (11), Backpacks (11), Water Bottles (11), Lunch Boxes (11), Sleeping Bags (11), And Trekking Shoes (11), Mosquito Nets (6), Snake Rescue Kits (5), and First-Aid Kits (3).
Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana - Raincoats (20), T-Shirts (28), Cap (28), Headlamps (20), Jackets (20), Sleeping Bags (5), Camping Tents (4), First Aid Kit (2), Solar Home Kit (2), Tiffin Box (28), Water Bottle (28), Backpack (28), and Field Diaries (80).
Mehnagar Range, Uttar Pradesh – Fire resistant suits (5), Handheld Petrol-Operated Leaf Blower (1), Fire Extinguisher (2), Grass Cutting Machine (2), Brush Cutter (1), Trapping Net (1), Winter Jackets (10), and Portable water pump (1).
Senapati Forest Division, Manipur - Fireproof Suits (10), Camping Tents (3), Sleeping Bags (10), Trekking Shoes (10), and Camera Traps (2).
Gorumara Wildlife Division, Jaldapara Wildlife Division, Baikunthapur Forest Division, Jalpaiguri Forest Division, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Darjeeling Forest Division, Kurseong Forest Division, West Bengal – Jackets (48) and Backpack (48).
Dhansiri Forest Division, Assam – T-shirts (130), Caps (130), Torches (130), GPS Device (1), and Tarpaulin Sheets (20).

Attachments:

Equipment_RAPs_Summary_FY202526.docx (DOCX)

3 Attachments

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Apr 29, 2026
Rapid Actions

By Akanksha Singh | Programme Officer

Dec 21, 2022
Thank you for your support!

By Monica Verma | Project Leader

Scroll of honor and check providing ex-gratia aid

Greetings from Wildlife Trust of India.

We hope you are doing great!

We are sharing an update about discontinuing our appeal 'Thank our Forest Guards this World Ranger Day' on the GlobalGiving platform. Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our project that works to equip, train and provide supplementary accident insurance to India's frontline forest staff.

The forest staff, who we call the guardians of the wild, are the true heroes of the conservation world. They have been braving harsh weather conditions, difficult terrains and so many other challenges in their line of duty while they stay committed to protect India's wild habitat and the wildlife it contains. Their work entails patrolling the forests and fringe areas on foot amidst a constant fear of being injured or killed by a poacher or an animal.

Despite working in the most difficult and harsh conditions, they are sadly ill-equipped and under-trained. This is especially true for the temporary staff that works equally hard as the permanent employees, minus the benefits.

This project works with the forest departments of various states to provide the necessary equipment and field gear to the forest staff. We are also conducting technical trainings on topics related to wildlife protection for capacity building. In addition, we run a unique 'Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme' through which we provide immediate ex-gratia support of up to INR 1,00,000 (or USD 1,210 approx.) to the frontline forest staff and their families in case of injury or death on duty.

In the reporting period, we provided immediate ex-gratia support to the family of Mr. Ramu* (*name changed to protect identity) who sadly succumbed to his injuries after tripping off the veranda of an anti-poaching camp located on a hilly terrain, 13-14 feet above the ground level, in Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. The sole breadwinner for his family, Ramu* (*name changed to protect identity) is survived by his wife and mother.

While nothing can compensate the loss of a life, we were able to provide the bereaved family with immediate relief in their hour of need. All this could have been made possible through your contribution.

While we are discontinuing this appeal - as it was raised specifically around the 'World Ranger Day' - there is a generic appeal on GlobalGiving that seeks support for this project which works all year round to stand in support of our wildlife warriors. You may check the appeal here.

We would also love to keep in touch with you! You may Visit WTI Website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Warm regards,

Team WTI

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