Uttarakhand: A meeting of the State Wildlife Board was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, who instructed officials to take steps to reduce human-wildlife conflict

The 22nd meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the meeting, CM Dhami expressed concern over the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict and directed that more effective steps be taken to control it. He said that vigilance should be increased in areas inhabited by bears, leopards, tigers, and elephants. He also directed that a system of joint monitoring by the Forest Department and the district administration be ensured.

CM Dhami instructed that regular patrolling, digital surveillance, and early warning systems be kept fully operational in sensitive areas. He said that solar fencing, bio-fencing, honeybee fencing, watchtowers, and other protective measures should be mandatorily installed in affected villages. He also directed that awareness camps be organized to educate villagers about vigilance and safety, and that rapid response teams be kept continuously active.

CM Dhami said that the conservation of all wildlife corridors in the state, including elephant and tiger corridors, should be given priority. The construction of animal passes, underpasses, and overpasses on routes used by wildlife should be implemented more effectively. He directed that if any amendments are required in the current wildlife conservation rules or provisions, the concerned department should conduct the necessary review and send the amendment proposals to the government soon.

In the meeting, the CM directed that the Wildlife Coordination Committee at the district level, chaired by the District Magistrate, be kept active, and that hotspot mapping of sensitive districts, blocks, and villages be completed immediately. He also directed that security arrangements be strengthened around schools, Anganwadis (childcare centers), water sources, and footpaths.

Bears attracted by garbage

The CM said that solid waste management should be strictly implemented in rural areas so that bears and other wildlife are not attracted to populated areas. He said that work should be done in the state’s wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves, in addition to reserve forests, to further strengthen the eco-tourism system. He also directed that veterinary doctors be appointed in territorial forest divisions to reduce human-wildlife conflict and ensure public safety. Nine proposals related to forest land transfer were approved at the meeting. These include four drinking water schemes and two water supply schemes located in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Rudraprayag, two motor road projects connected to the Rajaji National Park area, and one optical fiber proposal related to the Ramnagar Forest Division. In addition, it was decided that 22 proposals related to minor mineral extraction within a 10-kilometer radius of protected areas would be referred to the National Wildlife Board for consideration.

What did Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal say?

Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said that the decisions taken at the State Wildlife Board meeting are comprehensive and far-sighted steps towards establishing a balance between wildlife conservation and human safety, which will further strengthen the wildlife management system in Uttarakhand.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ranjan Kumar Mishra said that the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board has granted approval for the redevelopment of Chaurasi Kutiya, the first phase of reconstruction work for the damage caused by the disaster at Mansa Devi Temple and its access road, the construction of the Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev रोपवे (ropeway) project, and the special restoration of the Laldhang-Chillerkhal forest motor road.

He said that Wildlife Management Plans for 56 forest land transfer proposals have been approved for the period from July 2025 to December 2025. No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been issued for 29 proposals. The ex-gratia payment for human deaths caused by wildlife has been increased from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.

In addition, 93 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been formed for immediate action on human-wildlife conflict in 32 forest divisions. Approval was also given to send proposals to the Central Zoo Authority for the establishment of wildlife rescue centers in Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Rudraprayag.