Assam: Inaugural Asian Ranger Forum Unites Guardians for Nature Conservation

GUWAHATI: In a significant initiative, the Asian Ranger Forum (ARF) is all set to kick off at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, featuring a grand flag-raising and inauguration ceremony. The event, scheduled from December 5 to 8, will witness the presence of Assam’s Forest Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, and Maharashtra’s Forest Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar. The ARF boasts 146 participants, including 35 women, from 20 countries, comprising 89 active Rangers responsible for overseeing biodiversity-rich protected areas worldwide.

This collaborative effort is organized by the Assam Forest Department, biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak, International Ranger Federation (IRF), Ranger Federation of Asia (RFA), and Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA), along with other NGO partners.

Chris Galliers, President of the International Ranger Federation, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “It is really exciting to be part of the first-ever Asian Ranger Forum and seeing the region's rangers coming together to strengthen networks, share challenges, and discuss ranger-led solutions to the multitude of challenges that Asia’s rangers face.”

Under the theme "Asia’s biodiversity guardians for 30×30," the ARF provides a platform for Rangers to share knowledge, build partnerships, and enhance capacities through workshops and training sessions. Discussions will focus on inclusive workforce, conditions, conduct, and capacity, addressing challenges such as climate risks, biodiversity loss, and diseases.

The event will also recognize Asian awardees of the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award, honoring outstanding contributions to protecting and conserving natural heritage by ranger teams from Bhutan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Exploring Womanhood Foundation Van Durga Conservation Award 2023 will be presented to women rangers from Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Rajasthan, India, along with a special award recognizing the spouse of a ranger from Maharashtra for extraordinary contributions to biodiversity conservation.

A highlight of the event is the anticipated Guwahati Declaration, a statement by rangers for rangers, emphasizing their crucial role in nature conservation. The declaration will focus on promoting inclusivity and diversity in the ranger workforce and outline recommendations to support and empower Asian rangers in their duties. This declaration will contribute to the upcoming 10th IRF World Ranger Congress in 2024 (October 2024, France).

Ultimately, one of the ARF’s key objectives is to craft a declaration by rangers for rangers, emphasizing their vital role in nature conservation, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and identifying strategies to support and empower Asian rangers effectively and responsibly. The Guwahati Declaration will encapsulate key recommendations raised by rangers at the ARF and contribute to the upcoming World Ranger Congress in 2024.

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