SRINAGAR: The Government today admitted that man-wild animal conflicts have increased in the State, mainly due to the expanding human populations, encroachment of forest lands and wastelands, fragmentation of wild animal habitat due to development activities and conversion of habitats into croplands and orchards.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice of Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah in the Legislative Council here, Minister for Urban Development, Rigzin Jora said during last five years, an amount of Rs 240.70 lakh have been paid as compensation and ex-gratia to the injured and kith and kin of the deceased persons.
The Minister said an amount of Rs 5,000 to Rs 33,000 in case of injury and Rs one lakh in case of death is provided as per the existing norms of the state.
However, he said during the 3rd meeting of the State Board for Wildlife held on September 17, 2013 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, the enhancement of ex-gratia and compensation has been proposed to the tune of Rs 3 lakh in case of death and 30 per cent of Rs 3 lakh in case of grave injury and Rs 15,000 in case of minor injury.
The Minister said during the last three years (2011-12, 13 and 2013-14) as many as 100 persons were attacked by wild animals out of which 12 persons lost their lives and 88 persons were injured in Kupwara district in north Kashmir.
In 9 death cases, compensation as per entitlement has been sanctioned while as out of injured persons the cases of 34 persons have been settled while the cases of rest 30 injured persons and one death are in the process of settlement.
An amount of Rs 9 lakh at the rate of Rs one lakh per case has been released in favour of Next of Kin of death cases while as Rs 4.695 lakhs have been released in favour of 34 injured persons. (AGENCIES)
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