India, May 5 -- There is no uniform, no applause, and often no backup. Deep inside India's forests, far from public view, frontline foresters - guards, rangers, and wardens - fight a relentless war against timber smugglers, mining mafias, and armed poachers, even as they confront wild animals and unforgiving terrain

Forest protection is becoming a real challenge for frontline field foresters like Forest Guards, Rangers, and Wildlife Wardens in view of emerging, well-coordinated mafias with the latest superior weaponry. Over the last 30 to 35 years, thousands of forest personnel have lost their lives to protect natural resources all over the world. India is frequently cited by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) as the most dangerou...