The Uttar Pradesh government recently approved to classify man-animal conflicts as listed disasters as part of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The decision is aimed at enhancing coordination and relief processes during incidents of such nature. The new classification will facilitate quicker relief, raise awareness, guarantee police support in conflict zones, and deliver guidelines for dealing with wild animals encroaching into human settlements.
Understanding the Need for Change
“Living with the Wild: Mitigating Conflict between Humans and Big Cat Species in Uttar Pradesh” is a report by the UP Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) that examines patterns of attacks by wildlife on humans. The findings revealed that 90.6% of attacks happened during the day when forest-dependent communities are most active, suggesting that humans are not actively sought out by tigers but inadvertently disturb them.
Current Situation in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh houses 23 wildlife sanctuaries, Dudhwa National Park, and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Despite this, the Wildlife Protection Act lacks provisions for compensation if a human or livestock is killed by a wild animal within these protected spaces. Although the government provides ex-gratia at fixed rates, delays in payouts often incite anger among the local populace which can lead to retaliatory killings of the predators.
Understanding Man-animal Conflict
Wild animals straying into human habitats pose a threat to both animals and humans alike. This predicament calls for an evaluation of the administration’s attitude towards the safety of both parties. Causes of conflict include destruction of wildlife habitat, overlapping needs, land use transformation, and growth of human and wildlife populations.
Effect of Conflict
Man-animal conflicts cause damage to agricultural crops and property, create scarcity of resources and affect human livelihoods, and also negatively impact wildlife populations.
Solutions for Conflict Resolution
Suggested solutions for reducing conflict include creating physical barriers between wildlife and human habitation, restoring wildlife habitats to their original conditions, and relocating human settlements.
Eco Bridges: A Novel Approach
Eco bridges or eco ducts are overpasses that enable animals to cross man-made barriers safely. This method involves cultivating grass and plants over the structure, thereby disguising the fragmentation of the reserve forest.
Major Wildlife Reserves in Uttar Pradesh
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, situated across the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts, comprises the Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, located in Pilibhit district, Lakhimpur Kheri District, and Bahraich District, was declared a tiger reserve in 2008 due to its unique ecosystem. These reserves represent the only tiger populations with distinct adaptations characteristic to the Tarai region.
