Pune: The Forest Department is considering raising the monetary compensation for families displaced from tiger reserves across the state.
Proposal for Standardized Compensation
Srinivasa Rao, the newly appointed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), stated that the department will send a proposal to the state government to standardize the relocation compensation for affected villagers. He made this announcement at the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence for Conservation of Marine Biodiversity of Maharashtra in Mumbai.
Increase in Compensation Amount
A senior forest department official mentioned that they are exploring the possibility of increasing the compensation beyond the current ₹15 lakh.
The state has six tiger reserves, with at least 85 villages situated in their core areas, excluding Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Navegaon-Nagzira, and Bor. In the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, there are 37 villages, out of which eight villages are already in the process of being relocated.
Challenges in Relocation
The government offers two relocation options to affected villagers:
- ₹15 lakh compensation
- Relocation to another forest land
However, due to limited forest land availability, it has become difficult to find suitable areas for relocation. Additionally, rising land prices in Western Maharashtra have led villagers to demand higher compensation, resulting in protests in Sangli and Kolhapur. Officials have noted that increasing funds for relocation remains a financial challenge for the government.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
The department is also examining why wild animals are frequently moving out of protected areas. Farmers have reported crop damage, prompting the department to explore alternative farming solutions.
Rao suggested that introducing aromatic crops—which are in high demand—could be a potential solution. Additionally, experts will be tasked with studying grasses that could prevent wildlife from damaging farmland.
Regarding the rising leopard attacks in Junnar, Rao highlighted that some species, such as leopards in Junnar and banana tigers in Jalgaon, have adapted to living near farms. The department is now focusing on mitigating conflicts caused by changing agricultural practices.
New Wildlife Corridors
The Forest Department is also planning to acquire private land adjacent to protected areas, known as absentee parcels, since the owners are based elsewhere. Rao mentioned that they are working on a policy—similar to Karnataka’s approach—to convert these lands into wildlife corridors to enhance conservation efforts.
This initiative aims to reduce human-animal conflict and ensure sustainable wildlife conservation while addressing the concerns of affected communities.
