GUWAHATI: Known as 'Van Durga,' the female frontline forest staff is responsible for safeguarding the biodiversity of Kaziranga National Park.
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Their contribution to the UNESCO World Heritage Site's conversation efforts has been pivotal, as they have stepped up efforts to combat poaching, mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, and have also contributed to eco-development initiatives.
This team has undergone training to effectively address the unique challenges of protecting Kaziranga's rich biodiversity. These women are often tasked with difficult assignments, such as conducting night patrols.
"We do everything we can to protect the park," Monisha Das, a member of the team, told G Plus. "We even work late-night shifts."
Having been with the team for just a year, she also emphasised how much she has learned from the job. "Sometimes, we have to patrol alongside mother rhinos with their baby calves. On some occasions, the rhinos also come charging at us, which is when we have to fire blank rounds in the air for our safety. We were initially scared of such situations, but now we know we have to be brave to protect the animals or even other people."
The Van Durgas' presence is a significant step forward for better gender inclusion in the conservation sector. Their presence is testament to the fact that women can take on frontline roles as well as men. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Kaziranga earlier this year, when he applauded the all-women's team for their heroic efforts to preserve the park.Assam’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign continues to ride high on the State’s initiatives, with over 4,700 recorded earlier this year.