The International Ranger Federation (IRF’s) World Ranger Day is annually observed on 31st July to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.
- World Ranger Day offers a chance to support their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning to education.
- The theme of World Ranger Day 2022 is “DIVERSITY”.
About Rangers:
The work of the ranger is to maintain and guard the parks and other protected areas. Rangers collaborate with staff personnel and other volunteers to maintain footpaths, bridges, stiles, and gates.
Background:
i.World Ranger Day is an initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) promoted by its official charity Thin Green Line Foundation.
- The International Ranger Federation (IRF) was established in 1992.
ii.The first-ever World Ranger Day was observed on 31st July 2007, the 15th Anniversary of the founding of the IRF.
Ranger Roundtable:
i.It was established in 2020, is a collaboration between three partner organisations: the International Ranger Federation (IRF), The Thin Green Line Foundation and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance.
ii.They host online discussions designed to raise the professional profile and support for Rangers as essential frontline conservation workers.
iii.It emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on Rangers, their communities and Protected and Conserved Areas, as well as ongoing efforts towards the Chitwan Declaration.
The Ranger Roundtable has two forums:
i.Focus Sessions: aimed at leaders from global development, health and conservation organisations.
ii.Webinars: aimed at Rangers and Ranger sector leaders.
World Ranger Congress
The IRF World Ranger Congress is organized to bring together Rangers from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, share knowledge and create partnerships.
It is organized every three years in a different location.
- The last 9th World Ranger Congress was held in Nepal in 2019.
About International Ranger Awards 2022:
Winners of the 2nd International Ranger Awards, presented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), were announced in a ceremony at the IUCN African Protected Areas Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
- Orang National Park & Tiger Reserve wins IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award 2022.
Note- Orang National Park & Tiger Reserve is the oldest game reserve of Assam on the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts with an area of 78.80 sq. km.
Each winning team/individual receives USD 10,000 to support the protected and conserved areas where they work, and a custom uniform patch to signify their achievement.
- Total seven individual rangers and three ranger teams from ten countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australasia were recognized.
Click here for the list of winners of 2022 IUCN-WCPA International Ranger Awards
About International Ranger Federation (IRF):
President-Chris Galliers
Founded- 31 July 1992
