E-Paper
Human-wildlife conflict: State government okays ₹100-crore plan to fence villages
Attacks by leopards are mainly reported from Pune and Ahmednagar districts, wild boar and elephant in Kolhapur and tiger near the animal reserves mainly in Vidharbha area. Officials estimate at least 40 people are killed in animal attacks and hundreds are injured every year in Maharashtra.
The growing number of animal-human encounters in different parts of the state has forced the government to fence affected villages on a pilot basis as a preventive measure.
The Cabinet approved ₹100 crore for fencing villages affected by wild animal attacks. The plan will be executed under Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Jan Van Vikas scheme to carried out in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
According to the wildlife officials, leopard, tiger, wild boar and elephant attacks have increased in Maharashtra in the recent past with experts citing shrinking habitats and food shortages for wildlife as main reasons. Attacks by leopards are mainly reported from Pune and Ahmednagar districts, wild boar and elephant in Kolhapur and tiger near the animal reserves mainly in Vidharbha area.
Officials estimate at least 40 people are killed in animal attacks and hundreds are injured every year in Maharashtra. Even livestock loss is very high. Villagers residing near forest areas and animal reserves have been asking the elected members to provide fence facility. To avail benefit of the scheme, villages need to pass a resolution in gram sabha and submit the proposal to the deputy forest conservator.
The forest department will execute the scheme taking into consideration that it does not impact the animals’ migration and other movements.
HUMAN INJURY AND DEATH CASES IN STATE
Year Injury Death
2010-2011 454 33
2011-2012 369 32
2012-2013 456 37
2013-2014 523 47
2014-2015 515 42
2015-2016 700 46
2016-2017 686 53
2017-2018 349 50
2018-2019 181 25
