Press Information Bureau English Releases

Increase in human population coupled with shrinkage in wildlife habitats has led to a conflict situation. Forests and wildlife management strategy inter alia includes taking up of long term as well as short term measures through the State Governments in consultation with NGOs for mitigation of man-animal conflict. The Central Government has taken following steps to mitigate the man-animal conflict:

1. In the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz., ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ financial assistance is provided to the State Governments for improvement of forest and wildlife areas like the national parks and sanctuaries to augment food and water availability in forests which can reduce migration of animals from forests to the habitations.

2. Construction of barriers like boundary walls and solar-powered electric fences around the sensitive areas to prevent the wild animal attacks.

3. Payment of ex-gratia relief to the victims of wild animal attacks and depredation.

4. Development of necessary infrastructure and support facilities for immobilization of the identified problematic animals through tranquilization, and their relocation to the natural habitat or rehabilitation in rescue centers.

5. The Chief Wildlife Wardens of the States/Union Territories are empowered to permit hunting of problematic animals under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

6. Programmes are launched to sensitize people and create awareness about the Do's and Don’ts in case of wild animals scare and attacks.

7. Eco-development activities are undertaken in villages around Protected Areas to elicit the cooperation of communities in management of the Protected Areas, which includes actions to address the grievances of people regarding human-wildlife conflicts.

8. Training programmes are conducted for forest and police staff to address the problems of human-wildlife conflict.

9. Involvement of the research and academic institutions and leading voluntary organizations having expertise in managing human-wildlife conflict situations.

The above information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan to the Parliament.

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(Release ID :89531)