By Monica Verma | Project Leader
Greetings from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)!
India’s frontline forest staff risk their lives every day for a job vital for preserving the country’s forests. They protect vast areas of land, our entire ecological heritage, but many of them are temporary staff bereft of even basic insurance.
Injuries and sadly deaths are a part of their job as they combat poachers, criminal gangs, wild animals, forest fires, and other disasters. Your gift will honour their dedication, pay for their medical bills, and provide the necessary support and dignity to their bereaved families in the most difficult times.
WTI runs a unique supplementary accident assurance scheme, which covers both temporary and permanent forest guards and watchers, against accidental deaths or injuries on duty. We provide immediate ex-gratia financial support to these guardians of the wild, when they need it the most.
Your support will help people like Govind* who works as a daily-wage watcher in Kerala's Wayanad Sanctuary. In addition to helping the forest department with everyday labour work, such as – maintenance and installation of fences, clearing invasive plants, handling forest fire emergencies etc. – Govind* is a part of the forest patrolling team.
In this part of the world where humans and wildlife live in close proximity, he is the de facto peacekeeper. During his regular night-time patrols, Govind* is responsible for guiding tigers, elephants, and other wildlife away from human habitations to prevent animals from damaging crops and property, and also to prevent the animals from getting killed in retaliatory attacks by humans. He also keeps guard against poachers and their criminal activities.
On the night of the fateful incident, a cracker flung by Govind* to safely usher a lone elephant tusker away from human habitation hit a gate and bounced back toward his stomach.
Despite low visibility and being alone with a torchlight, he quickly dodged the firecracker with his hand, saving himself from a more severe stomach injury but rupturing his finger, which bled profusely.
Rushed to Government Medical College, Mananthwady, by forest department staff, the ring finger of his left hand had to be amputated. WTI immediately sanctioned ex-gratia support to cover his medical expenses.
After the injury, Govind* worried about providing for his family, consisting of two daughters and his wife. It took him nearly two months to overcome the initial shock and for the pain to subside, but he is grateful for the support from the forest department and WTI for helping him through this tragic incident.
Today, Govind* has re-joined duty, continuing to guard the forests he loves. He mentions, “My left hand no longer has the same strength, and it still hurts due to the surgery, but I believe I will get better eventually.”
Your support is critical for providing immediate relief to the forest staff and temporary wagers like Govind* during such challenging times.
This #GivingTuesday (on 28th November), help India’s Guardians of the Wild and participate in GlobalGiving’s exciting campaign!
*Name changed for confidentiality
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