Man-animal Conflict State paid whopping Rs 118.27 cr as compensation in 10 years

 

 

 

Tigers attacking humans is not the natural norm but when it happens, consequences can be expensive. Maharashtra is the best example of such consequences as the State witnessed 480 human deaths in last 18 years and spent a hefty amount of Rs 119.89 crore in form of compensation to victims of man-animal conflict, reveals a Right To Information (RTI) reply recently. Maharashtra Forest Department provided the details of man-animal conflict losses and compensation paid by the department to RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar. Man-animal conflict is one of the most pressing issues before the Maharashtra Government as it is facing challenges in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

 

As per the data provided by the Forest Department, it is clearly visible that the issue has escalated in recent time and out of 480 human deaths in last 18 years, 463 deaths took place in last ten years. Whereas, out of Rs 119.89 crore, the State Government shelled out Rs 118.27 crore in this decade itself. Maharashtra, which has the fourth highest population of tigers in the country, is paying the highest compensation to tiger attack victims in India. Initially, Chandrapur and Bramhapuri districts of Maharashtra started witnessing man-animal conflict cases. In the last two years, Nagpur district has also seen a fair share of this menace as tiger attacks have been recorded in Parsheoni, Deolapar, Ramtek and Paoni forest ranges in recent time. In last one year, more than 15 persons lost their lives in tiger attack in these forest ranges and it led many protests by villagers before the Forest Department. Due to such protests, Forest Department faced property loss and many forest men faced injuries.

 

Keeping the degrading situation in mind, the Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Thursday chaired a review meeting in Parsheoni and the government is planning to shift excess tigers to other states. Total 4,833 persons sustained gruesome or minor injuries in tiger attack in last 18 years, in which 4,701 injuries took place in last 10 years itself. As per the RTI reply, in last three years, the death toll increased drastically as 236 death happened during this period. In 2023, State witnessed the highest 97 human deaths in last 18 years. Total 78 persons were killed in tiger attack in 2022 and the count in 2024 was 61. Similarly, in 2023, the Forest Department spent the highest Rs 40.06 crore in compensation in last 18 years. In 2024, the amount was Rs 24.40 crore which was second highest till date. In 2022, the amount was Rs 16.17 crore.