Odisha forms task force to reduce human-animal conflict

Bhubaneswar: A State-level Task Force under the chairmanship of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha has been constituted to prepare a master plan for the next three years for reduction of man-animal conflict in the State and submit the same to the State Government within six weeks, Minister of Forest and Environment, Parliamentary Affairs Bikram Keshari Arukha said today.

Representatives of South Eastern Railways and East Coast Railways, CEOs of CESU, WESCO, NESCO and SOUTHCO, Chief Engineer (Roads), Works Department, C.G.M(T) and RO, NHAI, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, RCCF, Angul, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Save Elephant Foundation Trust, NEWS, Angul, Indramani Nath, H.O.D, Department of Surgery & Radiology, Odisha Veterinary College, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, DFO, Chandaka (Wildlife) Division, Addl. PCCF (Wildlife), Engineer-in Chief, P&D, Water Resources will work as the members of the task Force, Arukha informed.

The task force can induct any other individual as its member or consult any individual /institution for preparation of master plan. Arukha further reiterated Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always stressed upon endeavours for reduction of man-animal conflict in the state. It is, therefore, essential to prioritise the activities and streamline different interventions to reduce man animal conflict and have a master plan for three years so that funds under different schemes are spent as per this master plan.

In addition to department schemes funds under site specific wild life plans for forest diversion cases, the CAMPA, MGNREGS, DMF can be effectively utilised for habitat development, digging of trenches and other protective measures including IEC campaign.

DFOs should have SOPs with Railways, NH, State Highways, Irrigation officials, Electricity distribution companies with an institutional arrangement of regular monitoring and review at the Circle, district and division level.