Hiked human, cattle kill aid to open Pandora’s box: Experts

Nagpur: Even as forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar’s decision to raise compensation for human deaths by wild animals to Rs15 lakh and cattle kills to Rs60,000 has come into force from November 28, experts and stakeholders say the politically-motivated move will open Pandora’s box.
The decision has been taken in the backdrop of a debate in the legislative assembly over shooting of tigress T1 (Avni), wrongly blamed for 13 human deaths. There is no record to prove that T1 killed all the 13 people.

“The government decision might reduce hostility of people towards tigers but it will also tempt more number of people venturing into the forests escalating man-animal conflict,” said Nitin Desai, Central India director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).

Even Tejni deputy sarpanch Devidas Mangi from conflict zone of Pandharkawda says, “You cannot value a human life for money. Increasing compensation for cattle and human kill looks lucrative but will divert more people to forest. Even after 13 kills, graziers have not stopped entering forest though their number has gone down,” said Mangi.

“Instead of paying hefty compensation the state needs to take steps to ensure locals do not venture into forest. The threat of tigers in Pandharkawda forest persists as cubs and T2 male can attack humans accidentally. The new package will complicate matters,” said Mangi.

Honorary wildlife warden of Gadchiroli Uday Patel echoed the same feelings. “Most of the graziers who died in Pandharkawda were senior citizens. More people will venture into the forest as hiked compensation will act as an insurance cover now. It would have been better had the package for relocation of villages in tiger reserves was increased,” Patel said.

Patel added, “More money for relocation would have helped both, tigers and people too. In Bramhapuri division alone at least 5-6 cattle kills are reported daily and annually the figure touches over 2,000. One can imagine the burden it will put on state exchequer, that too for illegal grazing in forest. It will also escalate conflict.”

Central India adviser of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) Prafulla Bhamburkar says, “The increased compensation should help conservation. I fear tendency of people entering forest will not change as habits die hard. Resentment is bound to happen if a human is killed by an animal. I’ve no problem in increasing compensation if wildlife benefits.”

Bhamburkar added the government should add a clause that if human or cattle kills occur in forest no compensation will be paid. “The problem will be resolved automatically,” he says.

Contrary to experts’ views, Bandu Dhotre of NGO Eco-Pro says, “Enhanced cattle kill compensation will stop revenge killing of tigers. In Paoni (Ramtek) two tigers were poisoned in November last year after cattle compensation was not paid to the farmer.”

On the other hand, Dhotre said, “One cannot value a human life for Rs15 lakh. But it is possible that the increased package is likely to be misused unless people are stopped from entering the forest.”

Progressive farmer from Amravati district Shrikant Deshpande says, “Money will not bring back the lost life. Steps should be taken to contain conflict by not paying money but by law enforcement. Cattle kill compensation has come as a lottery for graziers as money will be claimed for all unproductive cattle entering the forest areas. It will set a wrong precedent.”