The Minister for Forests, Lal Singh informed the House that government has paid Rs 1.88 crore as compensation to the victims of man-animal conflict incidents in last two years.Replying to a question by Mr Mubarak Gul, he said 283 man-animal conflict incidents were reported during 2 years in which 30 persons died and 253 were injured. He said Rs 1.05 crore was released to pay compensation to the injured and Rs 83.70 lakh to the NoK of those killed in these incidents. Listing the measures taken to minimize the incidents, he said control rooms have been constituted at strategic points which work round the clock, equipped with tranquilizing guns, medicines, capture nets, etc. He further said that cages are installed at vulnerable points to capture wild animals which pose threat to life and property. He said do’s and don’ts are circulated among the public through control rooms, religious places, electronic and print media.The Minister further informed that communication channel and networks have been strengthened strengthening liaison with police, sarpanchs, Namberdars and local villagers.
“A network of Informers has been established in more susceptible/vulnerable villages, close coordination is maintained with Forest Department and its sister wings to combat man-animal conflict promptly and effectively, besides awareness programmes are organized to sensitize people on wild animal attacks” he added. The Minister elaborated that as per latest census conducted in March 2017 the number of Hangul in Dachigam landscape stand at 182 ± 39.39 with an upper and lowest limit of 214 and 138. Responding to supplementary parts, he said during the last two years no major fire incident has been reported in protected areas in Jammu. In Kashmir division, he said 49 Forest fire incidents were reported in 2015-16 and 71 in 2016-17.