India’s robust protected area network, consisting of more than 1,000 dedicated areas for the protection of wildlife, is the cornerstone of the country’s success story in conservation. These forests, grasslands, and wetlands serve as safe havens for a wide range of species, from tigers to sunbirds. Behind their conservation, however, lie the untiring efforts of the thousands of frontline forest personnel, India’s  “Van Rakshaks” or “Guardians of the Wild.”

A Van Rakshak’s life is replete with challenges. Spending long periods in rugged terrain with poor amenities, often under hazardous conditions without adequate protective equipment, makes their work one of the most demanding public service jobs in the country. Their responsibilities include fighting forest fires, preventing poaching, and dealing with human-wildlife conflicts, as well as ensuring the security of visitors in protected areas. Unfortunately, India records the highest number of ranger deaths globally, according to figures published in the State of the Ranger report by the International Ranger Federation.

In May 2025, Surendra Chaudhary, a Forest Guard in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, lost his life in an anti-poaching operation as his vehicle, which was pursuing a group of poachers, was hit by an overspeeding truck. Earlier in April, Somra Oram, a member of the Forest Protection Squad in Odisha, lost his life while dousing a forest fire in the Brahmani Reserve Forest. Later in October, Katravath Lakshma Naik, a Protection Watcher in the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, lost his life after coming in contact with an illicit power line installed by poachers for trapping wild animals. These tragic incidents highlight the enormous risk involved in the line of work of these forest defenders.

Realising the crucial role played, as well as the challenges faced by ground-level staff, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) initiated the Van Rakshak Project (VRP) in 2000. It aimed to make certain that the people protecting India’s forests were adequately trained, equipped, and aided.

Camera trap being set up by forest officers in Kaziranga National Park | Photo © Sonali Ghosh, IFS

In the past 25 years, it has enhanced the skill sets of more than 21,000 forest department staff in 19 states and union territories with specialised training in enforcing wildlife laws, patrolling, conflicts, and rescue. It has also equipped more than 27,000 forest staff with critical operational kits like protective uniforms, communication devices, night vision binoculars, and camera traps.

The VRP Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme, launched in 2001, continues to serve as one of the key elements of WTI’s support system. This scheme provides direct relief to forest staff or their relatives in case of an accident or death occurring in the course of duty. So far, 386 families have benefited from WTI’s support, with three-fourths of the total cases being fatalities. In addition to this, WTI has also supported the next of kin of 173 frontline staff who lost their lives to COVID during the pandemic. 

23 September 2025 – Handover of Scroll of Honour, as part of our VRP Supplementary Assurance Program, to the family of the Late. Shri Dulal Rabha, a temporary worker in Jaldapara Wildlife Division, was killed in a gaur attack by Mr. Shuvayu Modak, Programme Officer, Wildlife Trust of India, along with Mr. Sudipta Ghosh, Range Officer, Chilapata and Mr. Monokumar Rai, Forest Guard.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Van Rakshak Project, WTI launched a special report entitled “Guardians of the Wild: Supporting India’s Frontline Forest Staff.” The report talks about the work, challenges, and major achievements of the Project. It also honours the sacrifice of 559 forest rangers who lost their lives or were injured while serving wildlife.