NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 18
Deep inside the forests of Gir, where the roar of the Asiatic lion echoes through dense wilderness, hundreds of forest trackers quietly spend their lives protecting wildlife — often without recognition, financial security or safety guarantees.
Every day, they walk through dangerous terrain, rescue injured animals, respond to human-animal conflict and track predators under unpredictable conditions.
- Around 220 forest trackers in Gir and Greater Gir forests receive insurance cover up to ₹10 lakh
- Initiative led by Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society with major support from Parimal Nathwani
- Forest trackers often risk their lives rescuing wildlife and handling human-animal conflict situations
- Nathwani pledges to personally fund insurance premiums for the next 10 years
- Mediclaim and accident cover expected to provide financial security to trackers’ families
Now, in a major humanitarian initiative, around 220 forest trackers working across Gir and Greater Gir forests have finally received a critical layer of protection for themselves and their families — accident insurance and Mediclaim coverage of up to ₹10 lakh.
The initiative has been made possible through the Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society with special efforts and financial support from Rajya Sabha MP and philanthropist Parimal Nathwani.
The Men Who Protect Lions — Often at Great Personal Risk
Forest trackers form the invisible frontline of wildlife conservation in Gir, home to the world’s last population of Asiatic lions.
Despite working in high-risk conditions involving wild animal encounters, remote forest patrols and rescue operations, many trackers traditionally struggled to obtain insurance protection because insurance companies considered their profession too risky.
Officials said several insurance providers had earlier hesitated to offer accident and medical coverage to the trackers.
However, after sustained efforts by Parimal Nathwani, New India Assurance agreed to provide the insurance protection.
“They Protect Wildlife. We Must Protect Them”
Speaking about the initiative, Parimal Nathwani said the insurance scheme was designed to bring relief and dignity to the families of forest trackers.
“The forest trackers play a vital role in the protection and conservation of wildlife. They constantly face risks while rescuing injured animals or dealing with human-animal conflict situations,” Nathwani said.
He added that in case of any unfortunate incident, the insurance coverage would provide emotional and financial support to the families.
In a rare gesture of long-term commitment, Nathwani also announced that he would fund the insurance premiums for the next 10 years either personally or through his trust.
Financial Security for Families
Under the scheme, the family of a forest tracker will receive compensation of up to ₹10 lakh in case of accidental death.
Additional educational assistance will also be provided for children:
- ₹25,000 assistance for one child
- Up to ₹50,000 assistance for two children
The policy also covers:
- Permanent disability compensation
- Loss of limbs or eyesight
- Medical expenses
- Leave compensation
- Transportation of mortal remains
Alongside accident insurance, trackers have also been provided Mediclaim coverage of ₹3 lakh for hospitalisation and treatment expenses.
The Mediclaim policy includes:
- Surgery costs
- Room charges
- Doctor consultation fees
- Diagnostic tests
- Medicines
- Cashless treatment at network hospitals
Pre-hospitalisation expenses for 30 days and post-hospitalisation expenses for 60 days are also covered.
Awareness Workshop Held in Gir
To help trackers understand the insurance benefits and claim procedures, a special awareness workshop was organised at Sinh Sadan in Sasan Gir on May 16 and 17.
Senior forest officials including Chief Conservator of Forests Ram Ratan Nala, Deputy Conservator of Forests Agneeshwar Vyas and Deputy Conservator of Forests Prashant Tomar attended the programme.
Officials explained policy benefits, emergency procedures and financial safeguards available under the initiative.
Human Interest Beyond Conservation
Wildlife experts say the initiative marks an important shift in conservation thinking — recognising not only the protection of endangered species but also the welfare of the humans protecting them.
For many forest trackers, whose earnings are modest and whose jobs involve daily uncertainty, the insurance coverage brings psychological reassurance for their families.
In villages surrounding Gir, many families described the initiative as the first time their work had received meaningful social recognition.
A Model for Wildlife Welfare in India
Conservationists believe the Gir initiative could become a model for other wildlife regions across India where frontline forest staff routinely face physical danger without adequate social protection.
As India expands its wildlife conservation efforts, experts say similar welfare measures will become essential to sustain the morale and commitment of frontline conservation workers.
For the silent guardians of Gir’s lions, the initiative represents more than an insurance policy — it is recognition of courage that often goes unnoticed in the wilderness.
