Minister of Forests and Environment A. Indrakaran Reddy said that ecological balance is possible only through conservation of wildlife.
Addressing the meeting by the committee for resolution of human-animal conflict formed by him, Shri Indrakaran Reddy urged the committee members to make suggestions at the earliest and submit a comprehensive report within three months.
Measures to prevent attacks by tigers, policy to prevent human-animal conflict, fatal and non-fatal attacks by wild animals, and compensation for cattle and crop loss were some of the issues discussed during the meeting.
Committee members sought information on compensation amount in states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. He said that the compensation amount needs to be revised based on the current circumstances, because this amount was stable for the last six years.
Furthermore, to address human-animal conflict, there is a need to revive wild habitats and grasslands and permanent measures should be taken to provide food and water to wild animals throughout the year. Fire prevention measures should be taken during the summer and a three-year action plan should be prepared to increase the hunting base for tigers.
To prevent entry of humans and cattle into the forests and wild animals in the villages, trenches should be dug around the forest lands. In addition to strengthening the intelligence network, tighter controls should be used against illegal operations and the use of electric wires to keep crops safe.
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