61 killed in man-animal conflict in Mah in 14 mths

 

 

 

The issue of increasing human-wildlife conflict in Maharashtra was raised in the Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday as many MLAs wanted to know the State Government’s efforts to curb this menace. In reply, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik informed the Lower House that, from January 1, 2024 to February 27, 2025, Total 61 human deaths were recorded due to man-animal conflict, whereas 648 people were injured. Forest Minister informed the House that, due to various reasons, 15 tigers and 32 leopards also died in a span of just two months (January 1 to February 20) this year. Members from the Opposition asked what measures were being taken by the Government to reduce casualties due to wild animal attack, which had increased drastically all over the State. Members said many human and cattle deaths are taking place in attacks by tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, wild boar, etc. all over the State.

 

Therefore, the Government should reduce such attacks by taking bold measures. Forest Minister said that the State Government had sent a proposal to the Central Government to control the increasing population of leopards in the State with the help of sterilisation. Maharashtra Government proposed this project to be implemented on experimental basis. The proposal was sent in December last year, Naik informed the Lower House. In 2024-25, total 4,575 cattle were also killed in wildlife attack in the State, whereas 94,056 cases of crop loss were reported during this time period. This year, in two months, out of 15 tiger deaths, 8 deaths took place due to some natural cause,3 deaths happened due to railway or road accidents, and 4 deaths were reported due to poaching.

 

Similarly, this year, the majority 21 leopard deaths took place due to railway or road accidents. 7 leopard deaths were due to natural cause, and 4 deaths were still unknown. While talking about poaching cases, Naik informed that the 4 tiger deaths, which took place due to poaching, are under investigation and till date, 19 poachers were arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed jointly by the Central and State Government. Members of the Opposition also raised the issue of vacant posts, shortage of equipment and vehicles in the Forest Department. In reply, Forest Minister accepted that there were some vacant posts in the department, but it was not hampering the wildlife conservation and other activities of the Forest Department. The Forest Minister also informed that, there was no shortage in equipment and vehicles in the department.