End human-wildlife conflict: Draft policy

The draft national forest policy has touched upon the contentious issue of human-animal conflict by proposing to put funds obtained from the diversion of forest land for industrial projects to create safe wildlife corridors.

Culling orders of at least three animals by the Union environment ministry had sparked a controversy last week between the two central government ministers of the ruling party.

According to government estimates, every year more than 100 elephants and 400 human humans lose their lives due to human-wildlife conflict, while several tonnes of crops are damaged.

The draft, which was put in the public domain last Wednesday, noted: “Existing forest lands need to be protected and their diversion taken up only as a last resort...”

“The funds accrued in the form of the net present value from the diversion of forest lands should be utilised to acquire critical non-forest lands to establish corridors to provide safe passage to wildlife,” while emphasising on “an urgent need to renew India’s efforts to safeguard wildlife and their habitats as the wildlife and wild spaces are being increasingly altered by increasing anthropogenic pressures, rising human-animal conflicts, illegal trade in wild species and climate change impacts.”

By frequent habitat enrichment, the draft forest policy said human-wildlife conflicts can be mitigated.

“Provide adequate and timely compensation in case of injury or loss of human life, property, crop damage or livestock casualties. To manage problem animals, establish rescue centres and develop a team of well-equipped and trained personnel,” the policy proposed.