Parliament Question: Compensation for Loss due to Wildlife Attacks

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 13 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 Compensation for Loss due to Wildlife Attacks *13. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Central Government to curb the rising incidents of wildlife attacks in inhabited areas of Kerala; (b) whether the Government proposes to enhance the amount of ex-gratia/compensation presently paid to the next of kin of persons killed and to those injured in the wildlife attacks and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government also intends to revise the compensation norms and quantum for crop losses suffered due to wildlife depredation and if so, the details thereof; (d) the number of human fatalities caused by the wildlife attacks in Kerala during the last year and the current year, district-wise; and (e) the details of the measures adopted/being adopted to avoid confrontations between Forest Department officials and local residents while managing the human-wildlife conflict? ANSWER MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV) (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *13 REGARDING ‘COMPENSATION FOR LOSS DUE TO WILDLIFE ATTACKS’ BY SHRI BENNY BEHANAN FOR REPLY ON 21.07.2025 (a) to (e) Protection and management of wildlife including the management of Human-Wildlife conflict is primarily the responsibility of the concerned States/ UTs, including Kerala. As per the information received from the State Government of Kerala, the human fatalities due to human-wildlife conflict in current year and the last year is placed at Annexure-I. However the Government has taken several steps for management of human-wildlife conflict including: i. A network of protected areas namely, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitat have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats. ii. An advisory on dealing with human-wildlife conflict has been issued by the Ministry in February 2021. The Ministry has also issued guidelines to States and UTs on 3rd June 2022 on managing human-wildlife conflicts including damage to crops. The Advisory recommends coordinated interdepartmental action, identification of conflict hot spots, adherence to Standard Operating Procedures, establishment of rapid response teams, formation of State and District level committees to review the quantum of ex-gratia relief for its expeditious payments, issuing guidance and instructions for expedited relief payments, preferably within 24 hours to the affected persons, in the case of death and injury to persons. iii. The Ministry has also issued species-specific guidelines to deal with human- wildlife conflict situations on 21.03.2023. iv. The Central Government provides financial assistance to States/Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ for management of wildlife and its habitat including support for broad activities like-compensation for depredation by wild animals and construction of physical barriers such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing using cactus, boundary wall etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields, capacity building etc. v. The Centrally Sponsored Schemes, ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ also provides for payment of ex gratia relief to the victims of human-wildlife conflicts. The Ministry has enhanced the amount of ex- gratia relief in case of death or permanent incapacitation due to wild animal attacks in December 2023 from Rs. 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs under these Schemes, subject to availability of funds, and the payment of which is also governed by State specific guidelines/ provisions made in this regard.The details are given in the table below: S. No. Nature of damage caused Amount of ex-gratia relief by wild animals i. Death or permanent Rs.10.00 lakhs incapacitation ii. Grievous injury Rs.2.00 lakhs iii. Minor injury Cost of treatment up to Rs.25,000/- per person iv. Loss of property/crops State/UT Government may adhere to the cost norms prescribed by them. The States/Union Territories make ex-gratia payments for loss of livestock, crops and human life including injuries due to human-wildlife conflicts as per the norms, which vary in States and UTs. vi. The Ministry also provides capacity-building support to the officers and staff of State Forest Departments through institutions including Wildlife Institute of India for adoption of early-warning systems and modern technologies. vii. The Section 11 (1) (a) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, empowers the State Chief Wild Life Wardens to grant permits for hunting animals falling in Schedule I of the Act, which become dangerous to human life. Further, the Section 11 (1) (b) of the Act empowers State Chief Wild Life Warden or any authorized officer to grant permits for hunting of wild animals falling under Schedule-II of the Act, if such animals have become dangerous to human life or property. viii. Periodic awareness campaigns to sensitize guide and advise the general public on human-wildlife conflict, including dissemination of information through various forms of media is carried out by the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. *****Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *13 due for reply on 21.07.2025 regarding “Compensation for Loss due to Wildlife Attacks” The number of human fatalities due to human-wildlife conflict in current year and the last year in the State of Kerala 2025-26 Sl. No. District 2024-25 (Upto 10/07/2025) 1 Thirruvananthapuram 3 - 2 Kollam 7 1 3 Pathanamthitta 2 - 4 Alappuzha 2 - 5 Kottayam 3 - 6 Idukki 9 - 7 Ernakulam 3 1 8 Thrissur 8 5 9 Palakkad 7 4 10 Malappuram 8 3 11 Kozhikode 1 - 12 Wayanad 5 1 13 Kannur 4 - 14 Kasaragod 5 2 TOTAL 67 17 *****