Remembering Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946-2026)

Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946–2026), pioneered innovative conservation strategies that significantly advanced wildlife management in India's Sundarbans National Park and other protected areas. His most notable contribution was the introduction of a unique protective measure for Sundarban fishermen—wearing face masks on their backs—to mitigate tiger attacks, a solution rooted in his deep naturalist instincts and engineering background. Rishi also championed the use of satellite imagery for forest mapping, marking a groundbreaking approach to conservation monitoring in India. As a leader in the second generation of wildlife managers, he strengthened multiple protected areas, including Sundarban Tiger Reserve and Buxa Tiger Reserve, through his fieldwork and policy influence, leaving a lasting legacy in conservation history.

Kazmi, R. (2026). Remembering Vinod Rishi, IFS (1946-2026). Journal of Wildlife Science, 3(3), 153–154. https://doi.org/10.63033/jwls.vejg9971