TRAL, October 24: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday disbursed ex-gratia relief among victims of human-wildlife conflict in the Tral Sub-Division area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik was the chief guest at the programme, which was attended by Wildlife Warden Shopian Sohail Ahmad Wagay, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Range Officers of Tral and Khangund Ranges, and other officers and staff of the department.
On the occasion, the MLA handed over ex-gratia relief cheques ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2 lakh to victims of human-wildlife conflict and their families. Among the beneficiaries, Nazir Ahmad Kallas, son of Mohammad Abdullah; Mohd Yaseen Pashal, son of Juma Pashal; and Ruheena, daughter of Mohammad Abbas, each received Rs. 25,000 as compensation for injuries sustained in human-wildlife conflict incidents.
Officials told Morning Kashmir that the cheques were issued by the Shopian Wildlife Division through Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik appreciated the department’s prompt response in extending financial assistance to affected families. He said timely compensation could help ease the hardships faced by victims and their families following such incidents.
> He urged residents living near forest areas to take necessary precautions and immediately report wildlife sightings to the concerned department. He also called for strengthening rapid-response mechanisms and intensifying awareness campaigns in vulnerable areas to minimise human-wildlife conflict.
> Wildlife Warden Sohail Ahmad Wagay briefed participants on the department’s initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including rescue operations, capacity-building and training of field staff, community awareness programmes, and timely processing of ex-gratia relief cases.
> He reiterated the department’s commitment to safeguarding human lives while protecting wildlife, emphasising that peaceful coexistence between local communities and wildlife is essential for sustainable conservation.
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> The workshop also focused on building the capacity of field staff and other stakeholders in conflict mitigation and scientific wildlife management.
> At the conclusion of the programme, MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik was presented with a framed photograph of the Kashmir Markhor as a token of appreciation.
> Local residents, departmental officials and staff members attended the programme.
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> Wildlife Warden Shopian, Sohail Ahmad Wagay, told Morning Kashmir human-wildlife conflicts have been occurring in the region for many years, sometimes resulting in fatalities and injuries.
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> He said the government has introduced a compensation scheme to provide financial assistance to victims of human-wildlife conflicts and the families of those who lose their lives. The primary objective is to ensure that injured victims receive timely financial assistance to meet their medical treatment expenses.
> Wagay said two recent meetings were held in this regard—one chaired by Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Sheetal Nanda (IAS), and another by Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Suneesh Buxy. During these meetings, it was emphasised that compensation should be provided to victims of human-wildlife conflicts without unnecessary delays.
> He added that the authorities have also been directed to minimise procedural formalities as much as possible so that victims and their families do not have to submit excessive documentation and can receive compensation within a few days of the incident.
