Tiger Conservation: Unspoken Sentinels The Forest Guards

I remember a long time back whence I was freelancing with Tigerland Resorts at Kanha National Park, I was assigned a group of schoolchildren from New Delhi. The group also included teachers from the DPS School who obviously were the caretakers for the tour. 

The tour comprised safaris and lectures on wilderness, a sort of awareness campaign full of fun and interesting experience for the children. 

On the first night, the teachers refused to sleep in their rooms facing the jungle. Well, the staff was instructed to sleep in front of the doors and the matter was taken care of. 

"We will be eaten by a tiger!"

Dead tired, I promised to discuss it with them the next day. All I had to state the next day was the fatalities, murders, road accidents, and robberies. psychopaths, nuts, killers, fast cars, and blah blah dangers which they confronted daily or rather each given moment in the Metro.

"It is unlikely a tiger would kill you if you sleep here in the room or venture out on foot every day. The rural folks trudge into these forests for collecting wood every day without fear. The forest guards move alone in these forests to protect wildlife.

People die because of accidental encounters or due to deliberately impinging on the animal's private space. But these incidence are rare as a matter of fact very rare. You are  a thousand times safer here, so please all through your stay be at peace." They did!      

The true sentinels are the front-line staff the forest guards, deputy rangers, etc. They are the people who traverse or scour through the forests on foot looking for snares, traps, local goons, illegal minor forest produce collectors, and yes sophisticated poachers and ultras. That is a huge burden on two small feet and a feeble body.

Forest Hut & Guards

In the deep confines of the forests, they trudge on foot, on bicycles, and on motorcycles. In the tiger land, this would be an extreme adventure for most of us, not for the guards, they are on duty that need extreme courage, sincerity, and dedication. Coming across tigers, other wild animals, and reptiles is frequent, for some it may be on daily basis. But they are well versed in the ways of the wild and keep themselves safe.   

Whence we revel in the ever-increasing tiger numbers these are the people who deserve the awards and the glory for successful tiger conservation in our country facing extreme odds, and adversities of unparalleled nature whence compared with dwellers in the cities.  The threat is not from animals, the threat is from intruding humans, poachers, criminals, etc. As stated above. 

The threat from animals is of a different nature head-on charge is a rarity, they have to avoid accidental encounters the most which the guards are good at. An odd aberrant behavior may be the reason for a tiger killing a guard. Yes, this does happen but once in a blue moon...but we humans are more likely to die of accidents, criminal charges, or an act of terrorism.

We especially the reporters should abstain from vilification of wild animals in case of tragic encounters, we are no longer in their food chain and accidental killings should be seen from a rational perspective. Habitual man-killers are anyway incarcerated or killed.

Sometimes the forest guards have to face the wrath of the locals whence a big cat kills a man who has come too close. Yes, most of such killings are in self-defense whence a threatened tiger finds a man very close for comfort, or whence villagers try to snatch away the kill.        

Like our soldiers who face the violence of the worst kind, the sentinels being discussed here also face threats to their lives...remember they are unarmed. In some of the tiger reserves, the threat is from ultras while that from organized sophisticated poachers too is prevalent albeit not extensively in India. As a precaution, the foresters move in a group or in the company of another. But whence occasion arises they have to move alone.

The hard life of labor and constant patrolling -even in challenging weather day and night- is what our foot soldiers do in the tiger reserves keeping it safe so the wild animals thrive. They safeguard the ecosystem as a whole. They also supervise small construction works like building dams, roads, waterholes, canals, etc. The foresters are responsible for the safety and well-being of the laborers who are involved in the construction works.

They are the virtual arms of the mechanism that keeps the reserves alive and kicking. Like the patrol elephants, they keep an eye on the wild animals and the forests and report to the higher officials or the camps nearby for assistance or attention.   

Most of the foresters live in patrolling huts or fire-watching camps deep inside the forests. For items of basic necessity, they depend upon feeble supply chain mechanisms or acquire it themselves whence they visit the small towns nearby.  They are always at the beck and call of any emergent situation that arises in the deep confines of the forests.

Far away from emergency care and their families, they live in isolation but nevertheless fulfill their duties without fail. They are the stars of the conservation units and deserve appreciation and all benefits that can be possibly accorded to them.

Some of the foresters are excellent animal trackers and have an in-depth understanding of animal behavior. They are very good at recognizing the floral elements present in these biodiversity hubs. I have been interacting for many years with our front-line warriors and never felt a lack of resolve or spirit amongst them to protect the magnificent ecosystems that the country has inherited.

The forester's job involves multitasking for they can work as clerks, tourism supervisors, maintenance crew, hosts for filmmakers and esteemed guests, and assist the veterinary staff whence the need arises.

Hail The Heros!!
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Uday freelances as a naturalist and loves to write on tiger conservation and environmental issues.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

MP tiger reserves people behind the scene

Managing a wildlife/tiger conservation center is not an easy task. There are a large number of people required with ability and skill sets. The tiger reserve employees are from the state forest department. There are various level of temporary employment for people not directly employed by the forest dept.       

People we are more familiar with are the park guides who accompany us during the tiger safari. These are on temporary employment perhaps on daily basis; some may find permanent employment in the department. The guide fee has now gone up to Rs.200 per visit per day. In order to make an excursion in the park hiring a guide is a must you cannot enter without one. The guide is assigned at the park gate you cannot choose as per your wish.    

The guides usually act as beat guards whence the park is closed. They are the most knowledgeable about the routes that the reserve is divided into. They are also knowledgeable about the animals of the reserve. Some of the guides are expert in birding as well. The tourists depend upon them for discovering animals and birds in order to make their sightings successful.

There are behind the seen operators which are visible to the tourists at times. These are park rangers, deputy rangers and foresters. The latter you will often see at the jungle huts in the forests used for patrolling and fire fighting. These are the front line sentinels of the preserve. The park rangers supervise the range and the activities taking place. It is a responsible job and assignments are given to the deputy. You can see the park ranger during the tiger show whence he supervises the event.

The DFO and the Field Director are the top echelon of the park management. Complete control is with the FD with maximum powers. The DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) is more active in the field along with deputies.

There are people at the gate which manage tourists’ entry. The park excursion takes place on open jeeps. These have to be registered with the Park office that allots a number to the vehicle.        

Elephant riders and their junior staff are trained to conduct elephant safaris. They also play a crucial role in patrolling during the monsoon, whence the slush hampers vehicle movement. The park is also patrolled with anti poaching vehicles which are specially designed for the task. 

Lot of labor is involved in building of the infrastructure of the park. These are local people who earn a living from the employment offered by the preserve management. These are not employed on daily basis and you can see them working on the roads doing manual work.

Thanks to conservation efforts and tourism a lot of people find subsistence from the tiger reserves. The impetus is on employing tribal and other local community members as a principle of responsible management and tourism.