CELEBRATING THE PROTECTORS : WORLD RANGER DAY

By Anshika Khera

World Ranger Day is observed every year on July 31. It marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) . The day commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty , particularly during fire response or any other frontline conservation work and also celebrates the vital work they do protecting wildlife , ecosystems and cultural heritage globally.

Rangers play an important role in protecting the nations . They matter and the day matters because between 2023 and 2024 , about 170 rangers died in duty across 40 countries . About two lakhs of rangers work worldwide but to effectively protect the planet , we need about 1.5 million skilled rangers. Their roles are critical, from law enforcement , habitat monitoring ,fire and conflict response to environmental education, community engagement and supporting indigenous guardians or volunteers.

The theme of World Ranger Day for 2025 is “Rangers : Powering Transformative Conservation”. Global webinars are scheduled on July 31 , 2025 , including region-focused events in Indian Standard Time celebrating women rangers and transformative conservation leadership.

Spread awareness about the day , take part in talks and support  organizations like IRF and honour the sacrifice of the fallen rangers and support frontline conservation.