Adequate compensation or ex-gratia relief is provided in cases of human injury or loss of life under the prevailing policy framework on human–wildlife conflict in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Sajad Shaheen.
Legislators, Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi raised supplementary questions on the subject. They urged the government to provide adequate relief measures and ensure inclusion of the agriculture sector and livestock under the relevant schemes to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Responding to their concerns, the Minister said that currently there is no approved policy or budgetary provision specifically earmarked for compensation of livestock losses due to wildlife attacks in the Union Territory. However, he said that the government is in correspondence with the Animal Husbandry Department to provide compensatory support to the farmers in case of loss of animals.
He said that the Forest Department is in talks with the Agriculture Department and other concerned authorities regarding the inclusion of additional crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in case of damage by the wild animals.
16 Water Supply Schemes approved for Khawas block under JJM : Javed Ahmed Rana
The villages of Khawas Block, including Kanthol and Marutha in Budhal Constituency, are being covered under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to ensure provision of safe and adequate drinking water. Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana informed this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Javid Iqbal in the Legislative Assembly today.
He stated that 16 Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) have been approved under JJM for the area. He said that four schemes have been completed, while the remaining are at various stages of execution. The Minister informed that despite ongoing works, the region has experienced prolonged drought-like conditions in recent years, coupled with scanty rainfall, leading to depletion of certain water sources during peak summer months.
He informed that the borewell source of WSS Budhal has also been adversely affected, impacting sustainability and resulting in acute shortages in some habitations during the lean summer period. However, he said that as an interim measure, drinking water requirements are being met through water tanker services.
To address the long-term source sustainability, three Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) namely WSS Badhal-B, WSS Kotecharwal, and WSS Kotranka have been prepared and are under consideration. These projects will augment the existing schemes and extend coverage to left-out and higher-altitude habitations, stated the Minister.