Higher relief to wildlife attack victims on cards

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 4

In a state ridden by man-animal conflict, the Uttarakhand Government is contemplating increasing the ex-gratia and other compensation amount provided to wildlife attack victims.

The wildlife authorities have proposed a hike in the ex-gratia amount from the existing Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to the families of individuals, who are killed in wildlife attack incidents. Similarly, in the case of permanent disability caused to a human being in a wildlife attack, an amount of Rs 4 lakh will be provided as compensation amount. At present, an amount of Rs 2 lakh is provided to such victims. In the cases of partial disability, hike from existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh has been proposed.

For grievously injured, the compensation amount is proposed to be hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Further, for other injuries the compensation amount is slated to increase from the existing Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000.

The man-animal conflict has been a big challenge with over 600 persons losing their lives to wildlife since the formation of the state. A little less than 2,000 persons have been injured during the same period. Wildlife particularly leopards and elephants attacking humans have become quite common. Besides human causality, wildlife raiding crops and killing the livestock has also become a regular feature in the state. This has also led to increasing animosity between wildlife and humans. Wild boars, neelgais and monkeys have emerged as problematic species in villages.

Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat disclosed that the draft proposal for the hike in ex-gratia and compensation amounts provided to wildlife attack victims which has been prepared will now be put before the Cabinet for final approval. He said hike in these amounts will come as a solace for those, who become victims of wildlife attacks.

Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board has been repeatedly recommending an increase in ex-gratia and compensation for wildlife attack victims. Increasing compensation amount also looks to be an effort to placate growing resentment in general masses towards wildlife life in the state.