The government has become alert regarding the increasing incidents of wildlife attacks in Uttarakhand. Expressing concern over the incidents of Guldar attacks in various areas of Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed Principal Secretary Forest RK Sudhanshu to prepare an effective action plan and take steps to stop such incidents. He also directed that the forest department should be kept on 24-hour alert mode in areas where incidents of human-wildlife conflict are taking place in the state.
Like other areas of the state, Guldars have been active for a long time in IT Park, Kimadi, Singli, Dhaulas, Dudhli areas of Dehradun. Guldar had injured a child on Sunday evening itself. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation of human-wildlife conflict in various parts of the state including Dehradun in a meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday. He directed to install cages to catch the leopards which were proving dangerous to humans and to ensure intensive patrolling of forest personnel in the affected areas.
Strict action should be taken against negligent officers
The Chief Minister said that to prevent wildlife attacks, an effective action plan should be prepared and implemented. He bluntly said that strict action should also be taken against the forest department officials who were negligent in preventing wildlife attacks.
Wildlife can be sent to other states
The Chief Minister said that in case there is more wildlife in the forest areas of the state than the carrying capacity, a detailed report should be made if there is demand for wildlife from other states. Then steps will be taken based on this. He also gave instructions to set up new wildlife rescue centers in the state.
Bring proposal to increase ex-gratia amount soon
The government had earlier decided to increase the ex-gratia amount provided as financial assistance to a family member in case of death due to a wildlife attack from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The Chief Minister instructed the departmental officers that a proposal in this regard should be brought as soon as possible. Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Chief Forest Conservator Wildlife Dr. Sameer Sinha were present in the meeting.
