Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Odisha Recruits All-Women Patrol Squads for Wildlife Protection
The Odisha Forest Department has started a new team of all-women patrol squads to protect the forests and animals around the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
These women, mostly from tribal communities, have been chosen because they love nature and are brave.
They have been training for three months to learn how to patrol the forests, use special equipment, and stay safe around wild animals.
Two of them are even expert swimmers and will learn to drive boats.
Starting from January 1, 2026, they will work independently to protect the sanctuary.
The women are proud to be part of this team and want to inspire others to care for the forests.
Odisha Forest Department inducted five all-women patrol squads to protect Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Recruits, mostly from tribal communities, underwent three months of rigorous training starting in October 2025.
Training included physical exercises, wildlife safety measures, and the use of monitoring equipment.
Two recruits, expert swimmers, will receive advanced cruise navigation training.
The women will begin independent duties as Protection Squad members from 1 January 2026.
- Who
- All-women patrol squads, mostly from tribal communities, recruited by the Odisha Forest Department
- What
- Induction of all-women patrol squads to protect wildlife and forest areas
- When
- Training started in October 2025, deployment from 1 January 2026
- Where
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary under the Hirakud Wildlife Division, Odisha, India
- Why
- To safeguard wildlife and forest areas, address human pressure, wildlife electrocution, and trafficking
- Location
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India
- Number of Units
- 5
- Training Duration
- 3 months
- Training Start Date
- October 2025
- Deployment Date
- 1 January 2026
- Special Skills
- Swimming, Cruise Driving (for 2 recruits)
- Training Focus
- Physical Training, Wildlife Safety, Communication, Monitoring Techniques