She is one bright, bold, and determined lady in a forest officer’s uniform. She has led teams to rescue tigers, elephants, sloth bears, leopards, and more, sometimes coming dangerously close to these powerful wild animals. She has nabbed poachers who mercilessly kill our wildlife and brought justice to the voiceless. A mother of two young children and a proud wife of another forest officer, Sita Jamra, a Range Officer at Kanha National Park, is a real-life “Sherni.” Meet her through this interview and catch a glimpse of the challenging life of the guardians of our wildernesses.
- How and why did you become a forest officer?
The forest has lured me with its beauty and mystery since childhood. After schooling, I completed my Bachelor’s in Forestry from the Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. By then, I was determined to be a forest officer. Hard work and good luck were by me, and I cracked the exams to be enrolled in the forest service. Before starting my work as a Forest Range Officer, I received intense training for the job that involved a great deal of traveling and learning about forest management practices, horseriding, river-crossing, arms training, rappelling, rock climbing, and more. Now, with God’s blessings, and the constant support and encouragement of my parents and husband, I am happily serving Mother Nature.
- What is your most memorable experience from work?
For me, every day spent in the forest is memorable as there is always something new to experience and learn. Yet, some such memories stand out, like the one involving a tiger rescue. It was a gorgeous tiger who had to be rescued for treatment due to an injury, and I was there with my team to aid in the rescue.
The tiger had been successfully tranquilized, and the veterinary doctor was administering oxygen to the tiger while I was there, helping him with the process. The tiger’s eyes were open, although it was unconscious. As my eyes met the tiger’s, I was struck by an overwhelming feeling. Here I was, looking into the eyes and feeling the breath of one of the world’s most successful predators – one whose presence rings alarm bells across the jungle – one who makes humans dance to his whims to catch a glimpse of this animal. Yet, the tiger was now in such a helpless state, and I wanted to reach out to his soul and reassure him that he would soon be back on his feet again. I looked into its eyes and tried to convey my positive message to this regal animal. After that, the tiger’s eyes were closed and covered in black cloth, and he was taken away for further treatment. But those moments with this big cat were never to be forgotten.
- Did your work ever put you in a dangerous situation?
Well, ‘danger’ is part of my job. I often land up in situations where there is a threat to my life, but one particular incident remains fresh on my mind. A few years back, a sloth bear had fallen into a village well. Upon receiving the news, my team and I reached the spot to rescue the bear. First, we had to manage the massive crowd of onlookers gathered there to ensure the safety of both the bear and the villagers. Then, after much effort, we managed to get the bear out of the well. As soon as it climbed out with the help of a ladder tied to a tree, the bear ran for safety. However, it was tired and injured due to the traumatic experience and could not run for long, and settled down in the middle of a sugarcane field. Our forest department team now had to split up to manage the curious villagers and also keep an eye on the bear’s movements. I was also waiting by my office jeep in the area when all of a sudden, one of my team members alerted me that the bear was approaching me rapidly. I was totally taken aback. To my utter shock, I rushed towards the jeep and found that it was locked and the key was not with me. Being in my full uniform, climbing a tree would also be a challenging task. I had to find a quick way out as I saw the bear accelerating in my direction. So, I asked the forest guard, who had warned me, to make loud noises, beat his stick on the ground, and approach me to divert the bear away from us and towards the forest. Luckily, the plan worked, and the bear changed direction and moved toward the forest instead. That was a nerve-wracking experience for me, but still, at the end of the day, I was happy that the mission ended in success.
- What is most challenging about your job?
Working as a forest officer comes with a plethora of demanding situations. You have to deal with wild animals, the wrath of angry villagers who have lost their crops, livestock, or people to wild animals, and even armed gangs of poachers.
And being a woman officer and finding acceptance in a society that is still patriarchal, is also tough. However, while dealing with all these challenges is stressful, some experiences are truly agonizing and remain like bad memory forever. For example, during the early years of my career, I had to deal with a poaching case where a poacher had killed a wild animal. Upon post-mortem, the nilgai was found to have two fully developed babies inside her. The sight of the babies made my heart cry out. At that time, I was also pregnant, and you can well imagine how I felt seeing the dead mother and her babies. However, despite the pain that I felt, I knew I had to execute my duties as an officer and register a case against the poacher. And even after several years have passed, the thought of this case brings tears to my eyes.
- What is your experience with the local communities of your work area?
Interacting with the people from the local communities always gives me pleasure. Without their cooperation, it is extremely tedious to implement the conservation action plans in-situ. To involve local communities in conservation, we, the forest department, have supported and initiated several schemes. For example, we support traditional Baiga jewelry-making by women from the local community with the help of NGOs like the Last Wilderness Foundation. The jewelry items they make are sold in our souvenir shops, and they get paid for the same. I also constantly try to encourage the female children of the village to continue with their studies and become financially secure. The admiration in their eyes for a female forest officer also boosts my determination to be a good role model for them.
I have also opened up free libraries at our various forest check posts where youth from the local communities can access competitive exam books and other educational items that are often donated by people appreciating this scheme. I also try to guide the youth about their careers and also attempt to instill a love for nature and wildlife in their minds and hearts. And the efforts are bearing action as now the youth of the surrounding villages actively participate in conservation activities like helping put off wildfires.
- What is your message to the readers?
I would say that everyone must come forward and participate in conservation activities. We all derive the benefits offered by nature – we need our forests and wildlife for our healthy and happy lives. The forest department is trying its best, but we cannot work alone. We need mass participation and support in successfully implementing our conservation strategies. People can contribute to positive change right from their homes by leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. So, I would request every individual to give back to nature in whatever way they can. Let us all join hands to help save our forests and wildlife to ensure a bright future for everyone.
The interview was taken by Dr. Oishimaya Sen Nag
Author: Jaun Shahi
Journalist, Sub-Editor, Travellers’ World Jaun is a soft-spoken and gentle soul who thrives as a Journalist with his exceptional observation skills and an eye for intricate details. He is a true multitasker who efficiently handles various tasks and always brings a professional approach to everything he does. His genuine team spirit makes him an integral part of the TW family, as he consistently collaborates and supports his colleagues.
