Lok Sabha Question No. 963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Destruction by Wild Elephants
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Naba (Hira) Kumar Sarania

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 963

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Destruction by Wild Elephants

## 963. SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether wild elephants enter villages, tea gardens and attack humans due to lack of fodder in the forests of Assam and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total number of people killed in man-elephant conflict during the last three years;
- (c) whether incidents of attack on humans by elephants are on the rise and if so, the steps being taken to prevent the same;
- (d) the  details  of  provisions  for  compensation  to  victims  of  such  conflicts  along  with  the amount of compensation provided during the last three years;
- (e) whether habitats have been allocated for wild elephants in various tea gardens; and
- (f) if so, the details of the laws/agreements therefor along with the names of such tea gardens?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO )

- (a)(b)&(c) Elephant  is  a  long  ranging  migratory  animal  which  moves  across  the  habitats  and landscapes frequently. While moving from one habitat to another, elephants occasionally enter human habitation leading to crop and property damage and human injury  and  death.  The  ministry  has  undertaken  water  and  fodder  augmentation  under CAMPA  funds.    The  year-wise  details  of  total  human  deaths  due  to  man-elephant conflict in the last three years are given below which shows a decline over the years:-
- (d) In  addition  to  compensation  schemes  of  the  State  Governments,  the  Ministry  is  also providing  financial  assistance  to  States  under  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  Project Elephant, for ex gratia relief at the following rates:

| Year                      |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |
|---------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Total No. of human deaths |       516 |       506 |       452 |

| Sl. No.   | Nature of damage caused by wild animals           | Amount of ex-gratia relief   |
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| (i)       | Death or permanent incapacitation to human beings | Rs.5.00 lakhs                |

| (ii)   | Grievous injury       | Rs.2.00 lakhs                                                     |
|--------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (iii)  | Minor injury          | Cost of treatment up to Rs 25,000/- per person                    |
| (iv)   | Los of property/crops | State/UT Governments may adhere to the cost norms prescribed them |

The  year-wise  details  of  compensation  paid  in  case  of  human  deaths  due  to elephant attacks in the last three years are given below:

| Year                         |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |
|------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Total amount paid (Lakh Rs.) |    1495.3 |      1821 |      1498 |

- (e) No, Sir.
- (f) Does not arise.

***