Scientific survey needed to find root causes of human-wildlife conflict: Trivendra

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

While attending a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Delhi, Haridwar MP and former chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat flagged the human-animal conflict in the Himalayan region, including Uttarakhand, and stressed on finding the root causes and correctives. The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav chaired the meeting.  

Describing the spike in human-animal conflict as a serious and burning issue in the Himalayan States, including Uttarakhand,  Rawat said that the rising cases of  wild animals  straying into populated areas is resulting in surging human fatalities and injuries.  

He urged that scientific surveys of sensitive areas be conducted to identify the root causes of the conflicts so that enduring and practical solutions are found.

He also expressed deep concern over the incidents of elephant deaths caused by speeding trains in the Haridwar area.  He emphasised the need to strengthen railway-forest coordination, warning systems, speed control and structural measures. He also broached issues related to the elephant corridor in Lachhiwala and urged adoption of effective conservation measures to ensure wildlife’s safe movement.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on integrated policy, local participation and technical interventions to tackle the challenge of human-animal conflict.