Young women recruited to protect Forests and Wildlife in Odisha

The Odisha Forest Department has inducted all-women patrol squads to safeguard wildlife and forest areas in and around the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary under the Hirakud Wildlife Division, an official said on Saturday.

For the first time, five women units have been inducted into the Enforcement Squad. The members of these teams mostly belong to tribal communities. They were selected for the enforcement unit due to their strong commitment to wildlife and forest protection, fearless attitude, and aspiration to lead a meaningful life in service of nature, said Ms. Anshu Pragyan Das, Divisional Forest Officer, Hirakud Wildlife Division (Debrigarh Sanctuary).

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Since childhood, these young women have spent much of their lives in and around the forests and have witnessed increasing human pressure on the sanctuary, rising cases of wildlife electrocution by villagers attempting to protect crops, and growing cross-border wildlife trafficking between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The recruits underwent three months of rigorous physical training starting in October, conducted by women frontline staff of Debrigarh along with former Army personnel deployed in the sanctuary.

Their training included daily 5 to 7 kilometre runs, daytime patrolling inside forest areas, night patrolling along the sanctuary boundaries, and hands-on sessions in using camera traps, mobile patrolling applications, live wire detectors, and pressure impression pads. They were also trained in the importance of foot patrolling and effective monitoring techniques, she added.

The women have also been trained in wildlife safety measures, including how to respond during animal encounters, operate VHF and walkie-talkie communication systems, and navigate dense forest areas. They were sensitized to the importance of core zones and inviolate spaces within protected areas.

Two of the recruits, Nabanita Rout and Aliva Kalo, are expert swimmers and have also received training in cruise driving. They are scheduled to undergo advanced cruise navigation training at Chandabali in Bhadrak district, as recommended by the Hirakud authorities.

From 1 January 2026, the women will complete their training and begin independent duties as Protection Squad members within the sanctuary.

“It is a matter of pride to be part of the Debrigarh Enforcement Unit. I feel confident in discharging my responsibilities. This opportunity has made me financially independent and given me the chance to support my family,” said Anjali Topno, one of the inductees.

“Initially, the physical training and patrolling in the tough terrain of Debrigarh were challenging, but after three months of training, protecting the sanctuary has become my mission. I now want to inspire others in rural areas to come forward and safeguard our forests for future generations.”