Dehradun, the compensation amount pertaining to damage caused by wild animals to the humans has been increased in the State. This decision was taken in the meeting of Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister. Compensation amount has been increased from Rs. 3 lakh to 5 lakh if killed by wild animals, whereas for seriously injured, the compensation amount has been increased from 50 thousand to Rs. 2 lakh. In principle agreement was expressed on the people displaced from the parks and settled at other places be given land rights, the proposal for this will be brought in the cabinet.
Chief Minister said that participation of locals should be ensured in the management of forests. The support of villagers is essential for conservation of forests. Work on concept of green tourism should be done, so that forests are conserved and local villagers also gets livelihood. Permission has been granted to Elephant Safari in the buffer zone of the Corbett and Ramnagar forest division. It was also decided that 100 percent revenue from the tourism in Rajaji Tiger Reserve will be deposited in the fund of Rajaji Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation. Some part of this will be used for community activities.
Chief Minister said that the meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board held once a year will be held every six months. Detailed reports should also be attached with the points presented in the meeting. If any case is concerned with the public, before presenting it in the board meeting, it should be studied that what are the possible benefits and disadvantages of it.
No permit for angling in the buffer zone in reserve forest and tiger reserve would be given. Chief Minister instructed that information about the mountain climbing teams, which are given permission by the forest department, should also be given to the police as well. So that in case of any exigency, the trapped climbers can be rescued.
Forest Minister Dr. Harak Singh Rawat stressed the need for early completion of necessary formalities on the Kandi road. He said that this is a very important route for connectivity of Garhwal with Kumaon. With its construction, the direct connection route from Garhwal to Kumaon would be there, which will reduce the travel time by approximately 3 hours. On his directions in the meeting, Wildlife Institute of India presented the feasibility survey done on the proposed Kandi road. On his suggestion, it was decided to constitute an executive committee in connection with the Kandi route.
