Kota: Forest Guard Anita Chaudhary, posted at Shergarh Sanctuary in Atru tehsil of Baran district under Kota wildlife range, was conferred with the prestigious ‘Machhli National Award’ at a state-level function held in Jaipur Monday. The award, presented by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Nature, recognised her outstanding contribution to rescue and conservation. She also received a cash prize of Rs 50,000.Serving in Shergarh Sanctuary for nearly a decade, Chaudhary has rescued more than 500 wild animals, including several rare and dangerous species. Her work often involves significant personal risk, as she has repeatedly intervened in critical situations to ensure both wildlife safety and protection of local residents.Apart from rescue operations, Chaudhary has played a key role in curbing illegal activities in the forest area. She has led campaigns against illegal mining, tree felling, unauthorised collection of tendu leaves, and encroachment on forest land. Forest department officials said her proactive approach has led to the arrest of several poachers and helped reduce unlawful activities in the sanctuary.“While on duty alone in the middle of the forest, Anita Chaudhary performed noteworthy tasks, including rescue of animals, especially crocodiles, arrests of poachers, including one for hunting wild boar, and stopping completely the unauthorised collection of tendu leaves in her area despite aggressive opposition to her campaign by local villagers,” assistant conservator of forest Anurag Bhatnagar told TOI Wednesday. Chaudhary joined the forest dept in 2016. She is noted for her crocodile rescue operations. Of the more than 550 rescues she has carried out, over 50 involved crocodiles. In one incident, she safely rescued a nearly six-foot-long crocodile that entered a 70-year-old woman’s house and hid under a cot.
