Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam marked National Forest Martyrs Day on September 11. The state honored personnel who died protecting forests and wildlife. Their work demands grit. The history of Manas illustrates the heavy toll paid by staff over the last few decades.
Game Watcher Akshay Kr. Rajbongshi and mahout Atowa Munda died at Lafasari Camp on February 16, 1989. Poachers killed them during a volatile era for the region. Records show at least 10 personnel died between 1989 and 1998 due to extremist violence or armed encounters. Other names, including Dinesh Lahkar, Lankeswar Lahkar, Tipusaran Sahu, and Jirsong Engti, stand as constant reminders of the human cost.
Threats to staff evolved over time. While poaching and extremism dominated the past, today’s hazards include dangerous terrain and unpredictable wildlife. Personnel now face fatal risks from tigers, rhinos, elephants, and wild buffaloes. Others succumb to drowning, road accidents, or severe weather. Officials emphasize that for many, the job is high-stakes. One official noted: "For forest personnel, the forest is not merely a wildlife habitat or a destination for visitors. It is their workplace — and for some, it became their final resting place."
The frontline workforce is broad. It includes forest guards, game watchers, mahouts, foresters, and Assam Forest Protection Force members. Home guards, boatmen, casual workers, and drivers also fill these ranks. They work long hours in remote habitats. During annual floods, specifically in Kaziranga, these teams monitor animal movement and manage wildlife emergencies. They remain the first responders when elephants enter villages or animals suffer injuries.
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