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Abhijit Rabha is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer from Assam, India. He is the first member of the Rabha community to become an IFS officer. [1] He is known for his work in conservation and bringing back life in Manas National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam.
Rabha joined the Indian Forest Service in the 1980s and worked in Assam forest divisions. When he was Assistant Conservator of Forests at Nagaon, he managed to stop timber smuggling that was going on heavily in the region. [2]
He worked for more than ten years with Project Tiger, first as Deputy Field Director and then as Field Director of Manas National Park. [1] During this time he made the first scientific Management Plan for the park and brought modern tools like VHF radios, GPS mapping and a longer range patrolling system. [1]
One of his important works was changing the lives of local people who had been poachers. He trained nearly 75 and gave them jobs as forest rangers.
Rabha’s strict actions against poachers and wildlife mafia brought him many enemies. He survived several attempts on his life. [1]
In March 2012, while on a biodiversity survey in Karbi Anglong, he was kidnapped by the Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KPLT). After a few days he was safely released. [3]
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation praised Rabha for his contribution in bringing Manas National Park back to life and reducing poaching. [1] He worked as Special Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Forest Officer of the Wildlife Wing in Assam’s Environment and Forest Department. Later he was assigned to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. [1]