Gir Forest Trackers: The Rs 15k-a-Month Guardians Saving Lions and Villages
Deep within Gujarat's Gir forest, a dedicated team of around 200 forest trackers works tirelessly to protect both Asiatic lions and human settlements. These trackers, employed by the Gujarat Forest Department, earn monthly salaries starting at Rs 15,000, with potential increases up to Rs 25,000 based on experience and skill. Their work forms a critical link in India's lion conservation efforts.
Real-Time Monitoring and Conflict Prevention
Every day, trackers patrol their assigned areas within the 35,000 square kilometer lion territory. They provide almost real-time information on lion movements to forest officials. This constant vigilance helps prevent dangerous situations before they escalate.
Ram Ratan Nala, Conservator of Forests for the Junagadh Range, emphasizes their importance. "Their work is to track the lions wherever they go and report if any one of them is in any trouble," he explains. "They provide us real-time information on the movements of the lions."
The trackers alert authorities when lions approach railway tracks or human settlements. They also identify injured animals needing medical attention. This proactive monitoring has become increasingly important as Gujarat's lion population has grown from 674 in 2020 to 891 according to the 2025 census.
A Day in the Life of a Tracker
A typical tracker's day begins at 5 AM. They work in groups of about six, usually traveling two per motorcycle to cover more ground efficiently. Each tracker carries essential equipment:
- A wireless set for communication
- Binoculars for distant observation
- A lathi (stick) for basic protection
They cover approximately 10-15 kilometers daily, with morning patrols lasting until noon and afternoon sessions from 3 PM to 7 PM. Much of their work happens on foot since motorcycle engines can alert and potentially agitate the animals.
"We keep our eyes and ears open," says one tracker with a decade of experience. "We are very careful to keep a safe distance from the lions and other animals, especially leopards, who are more likely to attack humans."
Specialized Skills and Training
Forest trackers develop remarkable observational abilities through experience. They can determine a lion's exact pathway by examining how dry grass has been parted. They can even estimate when an animal last ate based on subtle environmental clues.
The Gujarat Forest Department hires trackers through a careful selection process. Candidates must demonstrate:
- Knowledge about lions and wildlife behavior
- Physical fitness for demanding forest conditions
- Experience in dealing with wildlife
Successful applicants receive specialized training covering lion behavior, safety protocols, and emergency response procedures. They learn to recognize signs of aggression and understand when animals have recently fed.
The Risks and Rewards
This vital work comes with significant dangers. Trackers constantly face the risk of animal attacks, particularly from leopards known to be more aggressive toward humans than lions. The job requires constant vigilance in challenging terrain.
Tragically, the risks were highlighted recently when tracker Ashraf Ali Chauhan died on January 4. The 30-year-old from Visavadar in Junagadh district was accidentally struck by a tranquilizer dart meant for a lioness he was helping to rescue. Chauhan had worked as a tracker for approximately four years and leaves behind a wife, daughter, and parents.
"Probably, it is for the first time in the history of Gir that a tracker has died like this," says one of his colleagues. "All of us are very sad for him and his family. We are doing everything to help them."
The Forest Department has initiated an inquiry into the incident to identify any procedural lapses that might have contributed to Chauhan's death.
Conservation Impact
Senior forest officials emphasize the trackers' indispensable role in conservation success. Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for Wildlife, notes that trackers provide crucial information about lion health and injuries from territorial fights.
"Every lion is being visually tracked and monitored," Singh states. "Generally, they are local residents. So, they get to know every minute change in the landscape. And therefore, they get to notice any suspicious movement in the landscape, including possible poaching."
The trackers work under contracts managed by the Gujarat Lion Conservation Society, established in 2007 to involve various community sectors in conservation efforts. Their local knowledge proves invaluable for detecting environmental changes and potential threats to wildlife.
Devvratsinh Mori, a member of the Gujarat State Board for Wildlife, acknowledges their contribution. "It is because of trackers that almost every lion in the Gir landscape is under the Forest Department's constant monitoring, which helps greatly in their conservation," he says.
These dedicated individuals continue their vital work daily, balancing passion for wildlife with the practical demands of protecting both animals and communities in one of India's most important conservation landscapes.
