Dehradun: Human-wildlife conflict is becoming a serious challenge for the Uttarakhand state government. Cases of wildlife conflict are being reported daily in the mountainous regions of the state, prompting the Uttarakhand government to take several important decisions. These include opening rescue centers in every district of the state, installing solar fencing for people’s safety, and developing a security system by setting up sensor-based alert systems to warn people. However, a strategy to implement all these plans will be prepared within the next two weeks.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that human-wildlife conflict has become a challenge for the state government. People are being injured in attacks by elephants, nilgai, leopards, bears, and monkeys in various parts of the state. Agriculture is also suffering damage. Therefore, in those areas of Uttarakhand where cases of human-wildlife conflict are being reported, solar fencing will be installed in a phased manner for security. A security system will be developed by installing sensor-based alert systems to warn people, so that human-wildlife conflict can be reduced.
He said that modern sterilization centers will be established in every district for population control of wild animals including langurs, monkeys, pigs, and bears. All arrangements for this will be made by the Forest Department. In all the districts of the state where cases of human-wildlife conflict are being reported, centers will be opened under the control of the Forest Department for the rescue and rehabilitation of identified wild animals. A rescue center for tigers and leopards already exists in Ramnagar, where about 25 tigers and leopards have been rescued. Similarly, rescue centers will be built for bears and other wild animals.
A minimum of 10 nali (a unit of land measurement) of land will be reserved in the hilly areas and one acre in the plains for this purpose. Currently, human-wildlife conflict has become a serious issue for the state, as it is causing significant challenges to the lives of ordinary people. Therefore, giving top priority to this matter, a strategy will be prepared within two weeks to implement these plans. For this, the Forest Department will be given an additional 5 crore rupees for nets, cages, tranquilizers, and other necessary facilities.
To effectively prevent human-wildlife conflict, forest department officials at the ranger level will be further empowered by prohibiting violent animals and decentralizing their rights under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife Act. If necessary, the rules will also be amended. CM Dhami said that he has also spoken to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav so that a request can be made for any amendments required according to the current situation.
