World Ranger Day is annually observed across the globe on 31st July to commemorate the Rangers who are injured or killed in the line of their duty. The day also recognises the contribution of rangers across the globe in protecting the natural and cultural heritage.
The day also marks the foundation of the International Ranger Federation (IRF). IRF was founded on 31st July 1992.
The theme of World Ranger Day 2021 is “Ranger Safety and Wellbeing”.
Background:
i.World Ranger Day is an initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) promoted by its official charity Thin Green Line Foundation.
ii.The first-ever World Ranger Day was observed on 31st July 2007, the 15th Anniversary of the founding of the IRF.
Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA):
i.The Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA), launched in July 2020, aims to improve the wellbeing of Rangers.
iii.URSA action plan is in response to the “Chitwan Declaration”, endorsed by rangers from 70 countries at the 9th World Ranger Congress held in Nepal in 2019.
- URSA is a collaborative initiative of 8 conservation organisations(Fauna & Flora International; Force For Nature; Global Wildlife Conservation; IRF; Panthera; International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUNC)’s World Commission on Protected Areas(WCPA), World Wildlife Fund for Nature(WWF), and Zoological Society of London).
International Ranger Awards:
i.The International Ranger Award created in 2020 was developed in collaboration between IUCN WCPA, IRF, Global Wildlife Conservation, and Conservation Allies.
The award aims to highlight and honour the extraordinary work of rangers in protected and conserved areas across the globe.
ii.The 10 winners of the inaugural International Ranger Award 2021 were announced in April 2021.
Note:
Two Indian rangers were among the 10 inaugural winners of the 2021 International Ranger Awards.
- Sathish Sundaram, forest ranger of Tamil Nadu Forest Department in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.
- Mahindra Giri, the range officer of Uttarakhand Forest Department in Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
About International Ranger Federation (IRF):
President– Chris Galliers
Founded on 31 July 1992 in Peak National Park in the United Kingdom.
