EFS&T Department Wildlife Revision of rates for payment of compensation for various categories of Human-Wildlife Conflict – Orders Issued. ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (For.I) DEPARTMENT G.O.Ms.No. 114 Dated: 19-12-2023.
In the circumstances reported by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden (FAC), Telangana State, Hyderabad, in the reference, the Government after careful examination of the matter, at this moment accords permission for revision of rates for payment of compensation for various categories of Human-Wildlife Conflict, as detailed below:
| Sl. No. | Category | Prevailing rates in G.O. Ms. No. 57, EFS&T, dt. 29.05.2014. | Revised rates |
| 1 | Human death | Max. Rs.5.00 lakh. | Max. Rs.10.00 lakh |
| 2 | Human injury | Simple injury: Actual cost of treatment. | Actual cost of treatment not exceeding Rs.1.00 lakh & Rs.10,000/- ex-gratia towards immediate relief. |
| Grievous Injury: Actual cost of treatment & Rs.75,000/- ex-gratia for permanent incapacitation. | Actual cost of treatment not exceeding Rs.3.00 lakh & Rs.1.00 lakh ex-gratia for permanent incapacitation. | ||
| 3 | Cattle kill | Market price as assessed by livestock inspector. | Market price as jointly assessed by livestock inspector of Animal Husbandry Dept., Forest Section Officer, Sarpanch not exceeding Rs.50,000/- |
| 4 | Agriculture crop loss | Rs.6,000/- per acre. | Rs.7500/- per acre as assessed jointly by the Agriculture officer, FSO, and Revenue official. |
| 5 | Other horticulture crops | Rs.7500/- to Rs.50,000/as assessed by Revenue Authorities. | Rs.7500/- per acre as assessed jointly by the Agriculture officer, FSO and Revenue official. |
The revised guidelines and criteria for payment of compensation to victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict of different categories are given in the Annexures appended to this order.
The compensation shall be paid as expeditiously as possible without any delay, immediately after the death/injuries/ damage has occurred to the next Head of the family based on the certificate issued by Revenue Authorities.
Eligibility guidelines and criteria for settling various categories of claims:
| I | Cattle kill due to wild carnivore attack: |
| No compensation to be paid for migratory cattle, Goats in Forests & Protected Areas. No compensation to be paid for cattle kills in National Parks. iii) Information on incident to reach concerned staff within 48 hours. The Cattle shall not be shifted from the site of kill till inspection by at least a FBO/FSO. The Cattle kill shall be certified by FSO and above, with Panchanama and photos. vi) The DFO/FDO to sanction & pay through Cheque. vii) Budget shall be made available in relaxation of Treasury Control. | |
| II | Human death or injury due to wild animal attack except by Snakes and Monkeys: |
| i) Spot inspection by officer not below Forest Range Officer or SI of Police within 48 hours. ii) Postmortem and certification of cause of death by Asst. Civil Surgeon. The Victim should not be an offender under the Forest or Wildlife Acts at the time of the wild animal attack. Ex-gratia to be paid to legal heir on production of legal heir/ family members certificate from competent Authority. Immediate payment of Rs.10,000/- as funeral charges in case of human death and as immediate relief in case of human injury. Sanction by Conservator of Forests /Circle Head and payment by DFO / FDO. Budget shall be made available in relaxation of Treasury control. | |
| III | Agriculture & Horticulture crop loss due to wild herbivore attack: |
| Damage to be reported by the victim with photographs, Pattadar passbook to FRO within 2 days. Joint inspection of site by Forest Section Officer, Revenue Official and Agriculture/ Horticulture Officer to assess extent of damage of crop. Sanction by Conservator of Forests /Circle Head and payment by DFO / FDO. No compensation is payable for encroached forest lands. Budget shall be made available in relaxation of Treasury Control. |
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden (FAC), Telangana State, Hyderabad shall take necessary action for providing funds in the Budget under the relevant Heads of Account. He is also requested to see that the accounts are rendered to the Accountant General, Telangana State, Hyderabad for the expenditure incurred under Account by the Conservator of Forests/Divisional Forest Officer / Forest Divisional Officer concerned. This order comes into force with effect from the date of issue.
This orders issues with the concurrence of the Finance (DCM) Department vide their U.O.No.2306454/301/A2/DCM/2023, dt:15.12.2023.