The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said the Wildlife Department has installed cages at vulnerable points and established 42 control rooms to prevent poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
In response to a query from MLA Reyaz Ahmed Khan, the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment said the Department of Wildlife Protection has implemented several measures to minimise human-wildlife conflict both within and outside protected areas, including Andoo Shangus Forest.
“Cages are installed at vulnerable points to capture and relocate wild animals that pose a threat to life and property,” the minister said, adding that guidelines on human-wildlife conflict are disseminated to the public through electronic, print and social media.
The minister said the cooperation of departments like Police, Revenue and Forest is sought, along with public participation, in handling such situations.
He said 42 control rooms have been established across the Union Territory of J&K, including one at Acchabal, which caters to the Andoo Shangus Forest area. These control rooms are equipped with tranquilizing guns, medicines, capture nets and cages, he said.
The minister said currently, there is no provision for compensating farmers for crop damage or loss of livestock due to human-wildlife conflict. However, compensation is provided to victims or their families as per Government Order No: 139-JK(FST) of 2023, dated 28-06-2023, he added—(KNO)
