Wildlife Conservation India Project #17680

Protecting Tigers

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Project Report | Oct 9, 2015
A little goes a long way in conservation

By Vicky Flynn | Communications Manager

One Village Defence Party in their new rain coats

It's dark, the rain has been falling for weeks but today, like every day, a local group of men make their way out into the night to patrol their section of road that flanks their village and Kaziranga National Park. Unpaid, but determined to protect the precious wildlife within the park, the Village Defence Parties patrol the borders through the night, every night, staying vigilant, watching out for poachers.

When we met them on a recent trip to Assam, the villagers asked whether they could have raincoats for the monsoon season and, with your support and the help of our partner NGO, Aaranyak, we were able to help with the distribution not only of raincoats, but shoes and torches to 14 Village Defence Parties in the Jokholbandha area.

After the official park rangers and police these local heroes form a second-line of defence, playing an important role in the 'smooth governance' of the conservation of the precious tigers, one-horned rhino, Asian elephants and countless birds and mammals that share the park.

Having met the amazing men who, without thought for their own safety, patrol the park borders every night, we hope that this small act of support will encourage them to continue the exemplary work they do to protect wildlife.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our work through Global Giving. Your support has enabled us to give beyond our annual funding commitments to help build the morale and encourage the community engagement that is so vital to the sustainable future of Assam's tigers.

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