Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to victims suffering losses in man-animal conflict, Odisha government has hiked the compensation amount under its Anukampa initiative after a Cabinet proposal in this regard received approval by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today.

Anukampa, a user-friendly software introduced by the State Wildlife Organisation of the Forest department, receives claims, processes and disburses compassionate grant in lieu of loss sustained to life and property due to wildlife depredation.

Every year, many lives are lost in man-animal conflict. Villagers staying close to forested areas face the additional challenge of damage to crops, houses and property as wild animals keep straying into human habitations.

Taking their distress into consideration, the Odisha government gave its nod to the hike in compensation.

Now, as per revised guidelines under the scheme, in man-animal conflict, the compensation amount for kin of deceased will be hiked from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh.

In case of permanent injury, if the victim suffers less than 60 per cent wounds, the financial assistance will now be hiked to Rs 1.5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh and if more than 60 per cent, the person concerned would get Rs 2.5 lakh. If a victim suffers temporary wounds, the treatment at government hospital would be free of cost. If the treatment mandates more than a week at the hospital, the victim is entitled to get Rs 10,000 and and if less than a week, Rs 5,000.

As regards livestock death, the compensation amount for cows and buffaloes is Rs 37,500, Rs 32,000 for bullock (as against Rs 5,000), Rs 5,000 for calves (as against Rs 2,500), Rs 4,000 for goat/sheep (as against Rs 2,000) and Rs 1,500 for lamb (as against Rs 750).

For damage to cereal crops, the hike is from Rs 10,000 per acre to Rs 20,000. For commercial crops, the hike is from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000.

For damage to property like houses, the compensation amount will now be from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000. If a house is permanently damaged, the victim will be entitled to financial assistance under Biju Pucca Ghar scheme along with additional Rs 20,000 as against Rs 10,000 earlier.