The Lion Queens of India Gir, Gujrat
Vasundhara Satkar
The only women forest guards team in India was created in Gir in 2007, by then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. Women guards are a great asset when arresting village women who enter the forests to cut prized teak trees. They help the wildlife department deflect allegations of harassment. Currently, there are seven women in the Sasan-Gir division and many more stationed in other parts of the forest.