World Ranger Day (WRD) is annually observed across the globe on 31 July to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the critical work of Rangers in protecting the world’s natural and cultural treasures.
- 2024 marks the 17th World Ranger Day.
- The 2024 theme of WRD is, “30 by 30.”
Ranger:
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the term “ranger” refers to any professional involved in the protection and management of national parks, natural areas, wildlife, and cultural sites.
Significance of 2024 theme:
i.The 2024 theme aligns with the global goal of the 2022 United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) held in Montreal, Canada.
- It reflects the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at the COP15.
ii.This Global Biodiversity Framework’s target 3 aims to conserve and effectively manage 30% of the planet by 2030 (’30 by 30’).
Background:
i.WRD is an initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF), promoted together with the Thin Green Line Foundation(TGLF),the United Kingdom(UK), the 1st charity solely dedicated to supporting rangers and their families.
ii.The 1st World Ranger Day was observed on 31 July 2007 on the 15th anniversary of the founding of the IRF.
- It was celebrated to honour 8 rangers who lost their lives while on duty in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
iii.Since then, WRD has been celebrated by the IRF’s member Associations, the TGLF, and by organisations, schools, and individuals who support the work of Rangers and the IRF worldwide.
Why 31 July?
The date 31 July was chosen because it was the day that the IRF was established, in 1992 in the Peak District National Park in the United Kingdom (UK).
- IRF was established as a result of an agreement signed between the Countryside Management Association (CMA), the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association (SCRA), and the United States of America (USA) Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR).
Role of Rangers and Protected Area Workers:
i.Rangers and protected area workers, including state-employed personnel, Indigenous peoples, community and voluntary guardians, and privately managed area personnel.
- Rangers are, also known as park rangers, field rangers, forest rangers, or park wardens.
ii.Their duties include protection, conservation, monitoring, visitor services, fire management, law enforcement, education, community support, and sustainable use regulation.
iii.Rangers are frontline conservation workers (men and women), who can also work tirelessly to protect endangered species like tigers, elephants, and rhinos, which are targeted by poachers for the illegal wildlife trade.
iv.Approximately 286,000 rangers are working in terrestrial sites globally, but this is only 35% of the required number.
WRD 2024 Roll of Honour:
i.The Thin Green Line Foundation’s 2024 World Ranger Day Roll of Honour recognises Ranger Deaths in the line of duty from June 2023 to May 2024.
ii.The 2024 Roll of Honour commemorates 140 rangers from 37 countries, with homicides (27%) and animal encounters (26%) being the leading causes.
iii.53% of these deaths occurred in Asia (74 deaths) followed by 30% in Africa (42 deaths).
- It is slightly down from the 148 ranger deaths in 2023, but the number remains high, with a total of 1319 ranger deaths recorded over the last 10 years.
- Of the 74 deaths in Asia, 43 deaths occurred in India by Tiger, Elephant, Buffalo, Bear, Accidental pesticide poisoning, drowning, etc.
International Ranger Awards:
International Ranger Award recognise the outstanding work of protected areas rangers around the world, celebrating the dedication and bravery of people who protect and conserve natural heritage.
- Winners will receive awards ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 10,000 to support the protected and conserved areas where they work, and a custom uniform patch to signify their achievement.
10th IRF World Ranger Congress:
i.The IRF together with the Gardes Natures de France (GNF), present the 10th IRF World Congress (WRC) in Hyeres, France from 7-11 October 2024, to advance and professionalise the world’s ranger workforce and the critical role they play in achieving the Kunming-Montreal GBF 2030.
ii.The global report on rangers will be published at the WRC, providing baseline data on the profession. This report will be published every 3-4 years during the IRF WRC.
iii.Key findings from the report:
- Only 56% of rangers feel they have adequate health and safety training
- Nearly 55% don’t have life insurance coverage
- Just over 60% believe their wages are sufficient to cover basic needs
- Over 60% feel they lack sufficient resources to complete their job
About the International Ranger Federation (IRF):
President– Chris Galliers
Founded – 1992
