Between 1996 and 2001, EIA donated over US$100,000 worth of equipment to Kaziranga National Park in Assam, northeast India. Along with Asian elephants, tigers and swamp deer Kaziranga is famous for being home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhino EIA’s contribution was for the forest guards on the frontline: courageous men who battle through leech and snake infested swamps to protect Kaziranga’s wildlife against armed poachers.

Over the years EIA has provided boats for patrolling the Brahmaputra River and its winding tributaries, medicine for the forest guards and their working elephants, uniforms, radio equipment and an ambulance for use by both staff and local communities. EIA’s Kaziranga Fund aslo provided for the construction of five permanent forest guard camps which are capable of withstanding the annual monsoon floods. Equipped with solar power panels and radio communications, the forest guard patrols are now able to can maintain communication in the field and coordinate any response to poaching gangs.

thanks to the dedication and tenacity of the Park staff, Kaziranga remains one of the best-protected National Parks in India and EIA’s contribution has helped to build international recognition for their efforts, acting as a catalyst for continued support for the Park from other international organisations.