Ahmedabad, Aug 30 (IANS) Women foresters in Gujarat are scripting a
unique chapter in conservation, keeping poachers and encroachers at bay
with their soft skills and emotional bond with villagers.
Deployed in the Gir Forest, the only abode of the Asiatic Lion, these
dedicated women keep a hawk’s eye on every acre of the sanctuary,
parcelled into beats for administrative convenience.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who took the initiative to
appoint them as Van Raksha Sahayaks (forest protecters) in 2007,
recalled their exemplary role in a conservation while addressing women
entrepreneurs in New Delhi.
Buoyed by an enthusiastic response to the first batch of women forest
guards, mainly tribals from Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts,
the Gujarat government plans to recruit 100 more this year.
Besides protecting the Asiatic lion and leopards, these guards
prevent illegal teak felling and forest fires, often caused by tribal
rituals. They also promote conservation and regulate eco-tourism.
“Of 365 staff members posted at Gir forest, only 32 are women. But
they are playing a significant role in its protection and management,
far beyond their numbers,” Sandeep Kumar told IANS. Kumar, himself an
avid wildlife enthusiast and photographer, is the Deputy Conservator of
Forests Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, which lies 327 km southwest of
Ahmedabad.
Kumar’s statement is backed by statistics.
The 2010 lion census states that Asiatic lions in Gir Forest have grown by 13 percent over five years, taking the total to 411.
“Van sahayaks” rescued more than 250 leopards, as part of a total of
600 rescue operations undertaken in the Gir, one of the highest recorded
anywhere in the country.
They have organised medical camps in villages as well as nature
education trails and camps for girls aged between 8 and 11 years.
Soft skills help “van sahayaks” mingle with village women and
children, gaining their trust, support and goodwill for conservation,
said Kumar.
Provided cameras by Modi, some of them have even become expert wildlife photographers.
For instance, Kiran Pethia has clicked the behaviour of cubs.
Likewise, Rasila Vadher relies on the lens for documentation and
presentations.
Prior to 2007, a male bastion like the Gujarat Forest Department had
only a couple of women from the Indian Forest Service on its rolls,
recalls Kumar.
The Gir forest comprises a fully protected core of 258 sq km and a
sanctuary spread over 1,153 sq km of notified and coastal forests.
Armed with double bore shotguns and wireless sets, women assigned to
the mobile squad comb the protected area, covering more than 25 km
daily.
Similarly, the rescue squad reaches out to animals in distress,
ensuring treatment and relief. The wireless squad tracks the progress of
both the groups and keeps in touch with them.
Encountering snakes or crocodiles and hungry lionesses, besides armed poachers and encroachers, are some of the daily hazards.
For instance, Manisha Vaghela had a brush with a gang of
motorcycle-borne poachers in 2011 in the Devaliya area of Gir. Tipped
off about their presence by her range forest officer, she acted promptly
and fearlessly.
Vaghela collected four of her forest guards and four more from
Devaliya Range. They sealed the area and nabbed the poachers trying to
kill an antelope.
Gir forest has four rescue centres to resolve human-wildlife
conflict. All rescue teams comprise a vet, forest staff (including
women) and, most important, trackers.
Kumar attributed the success of the Gujarat model of conservation to
inter-departmental coordination, dedication of staff and involvement of
local communities. Inspired by the Gujarat model, Maharashtra sent two
batches of senior foresters to the Gir sanctuary to learn how
human-wildlife conflict could be minimised.
(Shudip Talukdar can be contacted at shudip.t@ians.in)
—Indo-Asian News Service
st/mr
IANS 2013-08-30 13:02:21
http://www.vancouverdesi.com/lifestyle/gujarat-women-script-unique-chapter-in-conservation-environment-feature/617105/
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