Though human-wildlife conflict is not new, it was quite limited in the past. However, with increased human interference in the jungles, the human-wildlife conflict has escalated, said that State Finance, Potable Water, Sanitation and Excise Minister Prakash Pant.
Attending a seminar in Pithoragarh on control of forest fires and human-wildlife conflict as the chief guest on Monday, the minister also presented Rs 1.63 lakh in cheque as compensation to a total of 10 persons affected by the human-wildlife conflict in the district.
He said, “The conflict between humans and wildlife has been going on since the past. But in the past it was very less whereas now, due to the increasing interference of human beings in the forests, this conflict between humans and wildlife has increased alarmingly. Humans tend to suffer more due to this conflict. In order to resolve the human-wildlife conflict, the interference of humans in the forests will have to be decreased. For this purpose, the government is implementing various schemes through the Van Panchayats for the conseration and enrichment of forests,” said the minister. Pant further averred that the state government is consistently making efforts to make the Van Panchayats financially stronger. Work is also being undertaken through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for the conservation of forests. Referring to the damage being causedto agricultural crops by monkeys, boars and other wild animals, the minister said that to tackle this problem community participation will have to be ensured in action based on a concrete action plan. In addition to this the plantation of fruit trees will also have to be undertaken in the forests to ensure adequate sources of food for the wild animals. This will also encourage the wildlife to remain in the jungles instead of raid agricultural fields for food.
Pant said that the Union government in the general budget had also made provision for encouraging cluster farming. To utilise the provision effectively, all will have to work together to boost cluster and organic farming. He also expressed concern at consistently occurring fires in the forests, terming it a serious issue. He stressed on the need for the community and government coming together and making a coordinated effort to effectively mitigate forest fires. The Sarpanch of various Van Panchayats were also presented forest fire kits on the occasion. The divisional forest officer Vinay Bhargav and local public representatives were also among those present on the occasion.