Bhubaneswar: Scientists and wildlife experts prepared a blueprint here Monday on the need for making the forests sustainable for reducing the man-animal conflicts in the state.
Significantly, the experts at the meeting, organised by Orissa Environmental Society (OES) in collaboration with the Save Elephant Foundation Trust, opined that scarcity of food and water are pushing the wildlife out of the woods. Top forest officials also attended the meeting held as part of the Wildlife Week celebrations.
Top forest officials stressed the need to increase forest cover. “The forest cover is sparse. There is a need to fill them by generating forests so that the animals can move freely from one reserve forest to another without coming into conflicts with humans,” said additional principal chief conservator of forests Anup Kumar.
Some participants pointed out that the delay in releasing compensation to victims of wild animals will aggravate the man-animal conflict. “There is a need to set up a special court for handling compensation claims of wildlife victims. The special court or special division of forests has to ensure time-bound release of compensation for those facing crop loss or livestock loss,” said Orissa Krushak Mahasangha president Bibhudhendra Pratap Das.
The environmentalists also highlighted the need to create greater awareness for protecting the forests and wildlife. “We have to respect the rights of the wildlife for ensuring their survival. Animals like humans need to survive in the world for ensuring a better environment. Therefore, we have to change our outlook and create awareness for protecting wildlife,” said Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, secretary, OES.
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