World needs an additional 1.5 million rangers to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030: Rohit Singh

Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) prescribes that the world protects 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030. Countries are in the process of figuring out ways to meet this target and some have come up with national plans. Down To Earth spoke to Rohit Singh, vice president of the US-headquartered International Ranger Federation (IRF), about what the world is doing to increase the crucial manpower needed to manage protected areas.

Edited excerpts from the interview: 

Q. What role do rangers have in meeting Target 3 of the KMGBF?

A. Target 3 is an ambitious target and achieving this target is impossible without an adequate workforce. Rangers, that include state-employed personnel, Indigenous Peoples, community and voluntary guardians, and staff of privately managed areas, are at the forefront of this workforce. They play a critical role in protecting biodiversity, conducting ecological monitoring, engaging with communities, and supporting climate resilience and restoration efforts. In short, rangers are the backbone of area-based conservation, making them essential for achieving Target 3.

IRF, along with Universal Ranger Support Alliance, has developed a comprehensive framework. It outlines essential requirements for the conditions, conduct, and competence of a workforce so that it is adequately staffed, diverse, and recognised as vital for the successful realisation of Target 3.

We have conducted the first-ever global census of rangers and determined the number needed to achieve the 30x30 target. To effectively deliver on Target 3, we require an additional 1.5 million rangers. IRF is working with conservation organisations, its ~200 member associations, donors and governments to implement the framework.

Q. Are they important for achieving any other target of the KMGBF?

A. Rangers are crucial for effective conservation management. Given this critical role, rangers contribute to many other targets of the KMGBF. They play a role in meeting 14 of the 23 targets set under the Framework. For example, rangers directly contribute to Target 4, which focuses on halting species extinction, through their on-the-ground presence in combating poaching and protecting wildlife. Additionally, fostering an inclusive workforce supports Target 23 by promoting and ensuring gender equality within the conservation sector.

Q. IRF released a report on the role of rangers recently. What is this report and what are some of the findings?

A. We recently released the State of the Ranger Report, marking the first-ever global assessment of rangers’ working conditions. This report, set to be released every three years, will serve as a vital tool for monitoring ranger working conditions worldwide. The latest report is based on 1,286 responses from 81 countries.

We found that 40 per cent of rangers lack the proper communication tools to perform their jobs effectively. Sixty-five per cent of employers feel the number of rangers working in their area is insufficient. Fewer than 40 per cent of rangers have insurance, and less than 60 per cent receive adequate health and safety training. Less than 60 per cent of rangers and their employers have received or provided emergency response/first aid refresher training.

Over 90 per cent of rangers engage with Indigenous Peoples and local communities at least occasionally. However, only 22 per cent of those working directly with these communities have received training on their needs, lifestyles, priorities, or culture, which is essential for improving collaboration.

These findings highlight critical gaps in resources, training, and support for rangers, emphasising the urgent need for action to better equip and train those on the front lines of conservation.

Q. How can we strengthen this workforce? Any examples of what helps?

A. To do this, protected area authorities, conservation organisations, and funders should support actions outlined in the IRF’s 10th World Ranger Congress’ Hyeres Ranger Declaration. The Hyeres Ranger Declaration reaffirms the commitment from rangers to our shared KMGBF targets adopted during COP15 in Montreal. In return, rangers call upon the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) community to provide necessary commitment and support for equipping them with the resources needed to fully harness the potential of this often-overlooked conservation workforce.

Other than this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature should call on governments and intergovernmental organisations to recognise rangers as essential planetary health workers and involve them in policy development and implementation. Similarly, International Labour Organization should codify rangers as a professional category, ensuring equitable employment practices and recognition alongside other essential professions. Governments, donors, and organisations like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and CBD should recognise rangers as key players in achieving biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development targets, with adequate support and professionalisation. The World Health Organization too should recognise the role of wildlife management in pandemic prevention and recognise the role of rangers in the prevention of zoonotic diseases. By protecting natural resources and controlling human interactions with wildlife, they serve as the first line of defence against illegal activities in protected areas. Their work not only supports biodiversity conservation but also helps reduce chances of zoonotic disease transmission.

Q. Will the decisions taken at COP16 in Cali have any effect on the rangers?

A. While much of the discussion has focused on acres and dollars, there has been little attention on the workforce that will implement these targets on the ground. It is essential that we recognise the role of rangers in policy discussions within the CBD and other global climate commitments to mobilise the support they need. It is critical that we focus not only on the numbers but also the quality of the workforce. This requires the effective implementation of the entire framework. Examples include new legislation in Colombia and Peru to protect the workforce, reforms in training programmes across several Asian countries and endorsement of the IRF code of conduct by Cameroon.