Uttarakhand Government is planning to increase the compensation amount in the cases of human-wild life conflict where animals attack humans and cattle. This assurance was given by the Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat in the State Assembly on Wednesday. He said that the Government is contemplating to raise the compensation amount for death caused by wild animal attacks from the present Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5lakh. Similar increase in compensation in various categories of disabilities to humans caused by animal attacks and compensation in loss to the livestock would be done, the minister assured the House.
In response to a question by Independent MLA Pritam Singh Panwar, Rawat said that a total of 79 persons have lost their lives while 442 have been left injured by the attacks of wild animals in the state from January 1, 2017 till date. Similarly, a loss of 11794 domestic animals has occurred in the corresponding period, he informed. The Minister also informed the House that a budget of Rs 6 crore has been set aside for grant of compensation from wild animal attacks.