In 2 years, 30 dead, 253 injured in man-animal conflict: Govt

Srinagar, Jan 20: Government on Saturday said that 30 persons died and 253 were injured in Man-wild animal conflict during last two years in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister for forests Choudhary Lal Singh in a written reply to a question by National Conference legislator said that a total of 30 deaths and 253 were injured due to man-animal conflict during the last two years.
“21 death cases and 156 injured were reported in year 2016 to 2017 while as 9 death cases and 97 injured reported in year 2017 to 2018 “, the Minister informed the lower house of the assembly .
The minister said that a total of 83.70 lakhs compensation were given to the NoKs of those dead and 105.028 lakhs to injured victims.
The minister said that steps are being taken to control Man-wild animal conflicts include Control Rooms have been constituted at strategy points which work around the clock. The control rooms are equipped with tranquilizing guns, medicines, capture nets, etc.
“Cages are installed at vulnerable points to capture wild animals which pose threat to life and property”, the minister said.
He said that Do’s and Don’ts are circulated among the public through Control Rooms, mosques, electronic and print media.
“Communication channel and information network are strengthened by liaisoning with police, sarpanch, numberdars and local villagers. A network of “informers” has been established in more susceptible/ vulnerable villages”, the minister said.
The minister further said that close coordination is maintained with forest department and its sister wings to combat man-animal conflict promptly and effectively. Awareness programs are organized to sensitize people on wild animal attacks.
Meanwhile, the minister also informed the house that the population of Hangul stands at 182 at Dachigam national park.