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, and in view of this, the Uttarakhand government has taken several important decisions. Under this, it has been decided to open rescue centers in every district of the state, along with providing solar fencing for the safety of the people and developing a security system by installing sensor board alert systems to alert people. However, a strategy will be prepared within the next two weeks to implement all these schemes on the ground.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a challenge for the state government these days. In many areas of the state, people are being injured in attacks by elephants, nilgai, leopards, bears, and monkeys. Agriculture is also being damaged. In such a situation, in those areas of Uttarakhand where cases of human-wildlife conflict are being reported, solar fencing will be provided in a phased manner for security. A security system will be developed by installing sensor board alert systems to alert 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 completed 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 the identified wild animals. A rescue center for tigers and leopards already exists in Ramnagar. Where approximately 25 tigers and leopards have been rescued. Similarly, rescue centers will be established for other wild animals, including bears.
A minimum of 10 Nali (a unit of land measurement) in hilly areas and one acre of land in plain areas will be reserved 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 to implement these schemes within two weeks. For this, the Forest Department will be given an additional ₹5 crore for nets, cages, tranquilizers, and other necessary facilities.
To effectively prevent human-wildlife conflict, the Forest Department’s ranger-level officers will be empowered by prohibiting violent animals and decentralizing their authority under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife Act. If necessary, the rules will also be amended. Chief Minister 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 prevailing circumstances.
