Anita Chaudhary has dedicated a decade to her role as a forest guard, during which she has successfully rescued hundreds of animals, curtailed illegal trade in tendu patta, and addressed mining activities. Her efforts have been recognized with a national award from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.
Despite the accolades, Chaudhary remains humble as she embarks on her routine inspections of the Shergarh Sanctuary in Baran, which spans 9,880 hectares (approximately 99 square kilometers), with nearly one-third (2,949 hectares) directly under her management.
Since her assignment in 2021 to this wildlife-rich area, home to leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, wild boars, chinkaras, and sambar deer, the 30-year-old has been instrumental in the rescue of around 500 animals, including crocodiles, while also combating poachers and illegal miners.
The WWF’s ‘Machchli National Award,’ named after the renowned Ranthambhore tigress and accompanied by a monetary prize of Rs 50,000, marks the fourth recognition of her contributions to wildlife conservation.
Currently, the Shergarh jungle is experiencing dry conditions, with trees shedding their leaves and the sun beating down on the arid, rocky landscape. Baran is located between Rajasthan’s arid regions and the more forested areas of Madhya Pradesh.
“When I first arrived, the forest was bustling with people grazing livestock, hunting wild boars, and gathering wood, which disturbed the local wildlife,” Chaudhary recalls.
To address this issue, she made it her priority to implement stricter regulations. Gaining the community’s respect was challenging until she successfully filed a First Information Report (FIR) against an individual for hunting a wild boar, marking a significant milestone in the sanctuary.
Since then, more than 50 FIRs have been lodged under her leadership against poachers, along with various fines imposed on those involved in illegal tendu patta trade and unlicensed mining activities.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Anurag Bhatnagar states, “Chaudhary has been proactive in filing FIRs, constructing check dams, drilling for water, and creating small ponds to ensure that wildlife remains close to their natural habitat.”
Her initiatives have led to the resurgence of several species previously thought to have vanished from the area; sloth bear droppings were identified last year, according to Bhatnagar. Chaudhary possesses an impressive knowledge of the sanctuary, including the precise number of beehives and termite mounds present.
Unlike previous forest guards who patrolled at set times, Chaudhary operates without a fixed schedule, often conducting nighttime rounds, including at 2 AM. She typically rides a motorcycle for patrols, although she prefers to have a forest staff member accompany her.
Chaudhary resides in a modest two-room “anti-poaching” outpost known as ‘Naka Kishanpura Masaaldaran,’ which she shares with her junior colleague, Pooja Sharma. They benefit from solar power for their appliances, including a washing machine, and manage cooking and cleaning on their own.
Sharma praises Chaudhary as an exceptional mentor, stating, “Anita didi has shown me every corner of the sanctuary and connected me with researchers who have educated me about the local wildlife.”
Forest guards receive three months of training at the CRPF camp in Ajmer, covering physical training and job specifics. However, Chaudhary emphasizes that true learning about the forest occurs through practical experience.
Reflecting on her early days, she admits, “I had no knowledge of the local flora and fauna since my hometown of Jhunjhunu lacks forests. I learned from seasoned officials and local villagers. These interactions are crucial for understanding the ecosystem.”
She notes that the challenges vary with the seasons; in summer, the focus is on preventing tendu patta smuggling, while the monsoon brings an increase in poaching due to the muddy conditions that hinder access to certain areas. “During the rains, animals leave their sheltered spots, making them more vulnerable,” Chaudhary explains.
Countering poachers and illegal miners is complicated by their powerful connections. “Local politicians may intervene, and I have faced threats regarding transfers, even death threats, along with bribery attempts. Nevertheless, I have never wavered,” Chaudhary asserts.
DFO Bhatnagar mentions that he often receives “complaints” about Chaudhary’s strict enforcement of the law. Chaudhary acknowledges the importance of support from her superiors, stating, “They have never obstructed my efforts against illegal activities.”
Chaudhary’s home in Amarpura village, over 300 kilometers away, feels distant from her current role. She began her career as a forest guard at the young age of 20, with her first posting at Mukam Badora Range Office, which is 400 kilometers from her hometown.
Her father, Raghuveer Singh, a retired Army subedar, encouraged her to pursue this path despite her mother Indira Devi’s concerns. As the third of four siblings, Chaudhary’s father takes pride in her dedication, stating, “Having seen women in the Army achieve great things, I am elated to see Anita working so diligently to protect our forests.”
Initially, women were assigned only administrative roles in forest management. “I took the initiative to join fieldwork with other officials, and in 2021, when I was posted at Naka Badora in Shergarh Sanctuary, I requested DFO Anurag to allow me to patrol. By 2025, I was given this outpost,” she recalls.
Chaudhary’s husband, Vinay, and her in-laws are supportive of her career. Vinay, who works at a cement factory in Jhunjhunu, visits whenever possible. “My administrative role allows me to work online, and I find it fascinating to learn about forest conservation from such an intelligent woman,” he comments.
With a monthly income of approximately Rs 45,000, Chaudhary and Vinay have begun discussing starting a family. Her parents have offered to assist, although she anticipates challenges ahead.
As she ties her hair back and glances at her limited beauty products, Chaudhary smiles and says, “These don’t help much in summer… When patrolling the forest, you become unrecognizable.”
