Bhupinder Yadav flags human-wildlife conflict; rhino, dolphin conservation projects approved
New Delhi, July 10
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on Friday that human-wildlife conflict has emerged as one of India's foremost conservation and development challenges.
Yadav also chaired the 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of the National CAMPA in Coimbatore, which approved four new Wildlife and Forestry Conservation Projects for Dolphins, Snow Leopards, Wild Water Buffalo, and Indian Rhinoceros.
Inaugurating the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Human-Wildlife Conflict at Coimbatore, Yadav said, "Our approach should be solution-oriented, instead of being problem-oriented, utilising modern technological advances."
Yadav urged the forest departments across the country to take proactive preventive measures to manage conflicts and damage to human establishments and crops, said an official statement.
He said this must be done by addressing the issues in a coordinated manner with the respective communities through multi-stakeholder consultations.
Innovative best practices must be developed and widely implemented on the ground, using the latest technologies in wildlife conservation. "Coexistence and harmony, instead of conflict, should be the mantra of ecological sustainability", the Minister said.
The Minister also launched the National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal, a digital platform designed to facilitate data management, knowledge sharing, and decision support for conflict mitigation across the country, the statement said.
The first edition of a series of publications titled 'Current Status of Human-Wildlife Conflict in India: An Overview' was also released, providing a comprehensive assessment of the current status, trends and emerging challenges related to human-wildlife conflict in India.
The 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA) reviewed the overall performance and considered several new proposals and initiatives aimed at strengthening compensatory afforestation, forest conservation and wildlife protection.
The meeting was also attended by Union MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, said a statement.
Among other proposals, the Governing Body approved new wildlife and forestry conservation projects, including studies on the Conservation and Recovery Action Plan for River Dolphins, Project Snow Leopard Phase-II (including second cycle of population estimation), the Conservation Action Plan for the Indian Rhinoceros, and a pan-India conservation approach for the wild Water Buffalo.
The Governing Body also approved continued support for the conservation of Manipur's Brow-antlered Deer (Sangai), said the statement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see the Minister acknowledging human-wildlife conflict—it's a daily reality for many villagers. But will these projects actually compensate farmers for losses? The "solution-oriented" approach needs to include quick relief for affected families, not just data portals. 🤔
Impressive projects—River Dolphin conservation and the Snow Leopard Phase-II are crucial for biodiversity. The Centre of Excellence sounds promising. I just hope the funds from CAMPA are used transparently and don't get lost in bureaucracy. Big thumbs up for including local communities! 👍
Reading this from Coimbatore, where the CoE is set up—makes me proud! Human-wildlife conflict is a huge issue in the Nilgiris. Multi-stakeholder consultations are the way forward, but implementation is key. Also, kudos for including the Sangai deer; Manipur's pride needs all the support. 🦌
It's encouraging that the government is treating human-wildlife conflict as a "conservation and development challenge". Too often, it's brushed aside. The Wild Water Buffalo project is especially important—they are so threatened in Assam. Let's hope these aren't just paper approvals. 🌿
"Coexistence and harmony" is a beautiful mantra, but reality is messy. I've seen farmers in Karnataka lose years of crops to elephants. The new portal might help, but we need faster compensation and better fencing. Also, glad to see Snow Leopards getting Phase-II—they are vital for our Himalayan ecosystems. ❄️
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