Anita Chaudhary has spent a decade as a forest guard, rescuing hundreds of animals, curbing illegal trade in tendu leaves and mining activities, and earning a national award from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.
These achievements come naturally to Chaudhary, who patrols the Shergarh Sanctuary in Baran district on a motorcycle. The sanctuary covers 9,880 hectares, or about 99 square kilometers, with roughly one-third—2,949 hectares—under her watch.
Since her assignment there in 2021, the 30-year-old has contributed to the rescue of approximately 500 animals, including crocodiles, and has targeted smugglers and unauthorized miners. The sanctuary is home to species like leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, wild boars, chinkaras, and sambar deer.
The WWF’s Machchli National Award, inspired by a renowned tigress from Ranthambhore and including a 50,000-rupee prize, marks her fourth honor.
Currently, the Shergarh forest is arid, with trees losing foliage and intense sun over uneven, stony terrain. Baran lies between Rajasthan’s arid zones and the wooded regions bordering Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival, Chaudhary observed frequent human intrusions for grazing, hunting wild boars, or collecting wood, which disrupted the wildlife. She prioritized stricter enforcement, starting with filing a police report against a man who killed a wild boar—the first such case in the sanctuary.
Since then, over 50 police reports have been lodged under her oversight against poachers, along with fines on tendu leaf traffickers, livestock herders, and illegal stone extractors.
Divisional Forest Officer Anurag Bhatnagar notes that Chaudhary has pursued legal actions, built check dams, installed water bores, and formed small ponds to keep animals from straying. These measures have led to sightings of species thought to be absent, such as sloth bear evidence found last year. He praises her detailed knowledge of features like bee hives and termite mounds.
Unlike previous guards who patrolled only mornings and evenings, Chaudhary varies her schedule, including nighttime checks as late as 2 a.m. Patrols use motorcycles, and while she can operate one, she typically rides with a colleague.
She resides in a two-room anti-poaching outpost called Naka Kishanpura Masaaldaran, shared with junior guard Pooja Sharma, 25. Solar energy powers their devices, including a washing machine, and they handle their own meals and housekeeping.
Sharma describes Chaudhary as an outstanding guide, having shown her the sanctuary’s every part and connected her with experts on local flora and fauna.
Forest guards receive three months of training at a CRPF facility in Ajmer, covering fitness and duties. However, Chaudhary emphasizes that true forest knowledge comes from experience.
Reflecting on her beginnings, she explains: ‘In my hometown of Jhunjhunu, there were no forests, so I was unfamiliar with the local animals and plants. I gained insights from experienced colleagues and nearby residents.’
Seasons bring different challenges: summer vigilance against tendu leaf smugglers, while monsoons increase poaching risks due to poor access and animals becoming more visible.
Poachers and miners often have influential support, leading to complications. ‘Local politicians might get involved. I’ve faced transfer threats, death warnings, and large bribe offers, but I’ve always stood firm,’ Chaudhary states.
Bhatnagar mentions receiving frequent complaints about her rigorous approach, but Chaudhary credits supportive superiors for enabling her actions without interference.
The sanctuary is far from her home in Amarpura village, Jhunjhunu, over 300 kilometers away. She joined as a guard at age 20, starting at the Mukam Badora Range Office in Kota, about 400 kilometers distant.
Her father, retired Army subedar Raghuveer Singh, supported her career choice despite her mother Indira Devi’s objections. As the third of four siblings, Chaudhary draws inspiration from her father’s military background. ‘In the Army, I witnessed women serving on borders and receiving honors. Watching Anita dedicate herself to forest protection brings me great pride,’ he shares.
When Chaudhary began, female guards were just starting to be assigned to such roles.
