Blue bulls in a field near Rajpura. Tribune photo

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 6

Following reports in these columns about the damage caused to famers’ crops by wild animals, the Department of Wildlife and Forest has started holding camps to make people aware of the various schemes of the government concerning the human-wildlife conflict. A mobile app has also been made to resolve such issues.

“With the onset of winter, wild animals come to habitation areas and agricultural fields. The Chief Minister has reviewed various activities taken up by the Department of Forests and Wildlife to resolve human-wildlife conflict and other issues related to wildlife,” an official from the department said, reacting to The Tribune report on losses faced by farmers due to wild animals.

During winter, deer, wild boars and blue bulls wander into habitation areas, where they are chased by dogs as well as humans. “The Chief Minister has given instructions to form rescue teams and coordinate with other departments and the district administration,” said Chief Conservator of Forests Basanta Rajkumar.

To curb incidents of crop damage by wild boar and blue bull, a two-pronged strategy is being adopted. “A scientific study of these animals in relation to their population is being carried out by with the help of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. The state has authorised the local SDMs and DFOs to issue hunting permits to the affected farmers. After getting feedback from farmers and other stakeholders, the process for issuing permits has been simplified,” said Rajkumar.

The department stated that with the help of mobile apps, people need not visit the government offices physically to get the permits. “Most human-animal conflicts are reported from the Kandi belt of Punjab and the government is giving subsidy to farmers, who want to fence their fields,” an official said.