Women officers in Pench forest protect tigers despite dangers

Funded entirely by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India, the Pench Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) comprises of women with an average age of 23. Pench is a forest spread across 1,921 sq. km between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Most of these women are from a traditionally patriarchal society and were picked after rigorous selection process that involved an aptitude test and running 16 kms in under two-and-a-half hours.

Their job is not easy. According to a report by Quartz India, recently, a 24 year old S. D. Shendre, was recently shot and almost died when he tried to fight four poachers single-handedly in the region. The report suggests that these women are fighting against $25 billion global trade in wildlife illegal imports/exports that have links to the narcotics, human trafficking and arms trades.

Quartz India >

One of the biggest achievements of the STPF is that after years of poaching activity in the region, the summer of 2014, lost zero tigers to poachers. These women have great support from their families. One of the female officers said, “Our families are supportive. They are happy we are protecting the forests where our ancestors have lived for generations.” “Don’t forget we have also been trained in hand to hand combat by paramilitary commandos. Most boys in our village know that it will not be good for their health to tangle with us!” adds another.

At best, these women get INR 15,000, with a heavy risk to their lives, but that doesn’t bother most.  24-year-old Rupali Bante told Quartz India, “My grandfather was a policeman. I wanted to join the police force and wear the khaki vardi (uniform). So here I am wearing the uniform but protecting something so much more important. Without the forest there will be no oxygen and no people and nothing for the police to protect.”

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Quartz

http://qz.com/306401/these-young-village-women-are-fighting-to-save-indias-endangered-tigers/