Lok Sabha Question No. 3644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: Survey regarding Nilgai
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3644

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022

## Survey regarding Nilgai

## 3644.   SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any survey regarding Nilgai and if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan;
- (b) whether the crops of farmers are being destroyed by the Nilgai and if so, the measures taken to reduce the losses; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  a  reserve  forest  at  the  tehsil  level  for  the displacement and movement of Nilgai and if so, the details thereof and the status of any such plan?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) and (b) Management  of  forests  and  wildlife,  including  mitigation  of  human-wildlife conflict,  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  States/UTs.  The  Ministry  has  not conducted any survey regarding Nilgai. However, incidences of human-wildlife conflict,  including  damage to  crops  caused by  Nilgai  and  other  wild  animals, have been reported by several States.

A number of measures have been taken by the Government to conserve wild life and mitigatehuman-wildlife conflict. These include the following :

- i. A network of Protected  Areas viz.,  National  Park,  Wildlife  Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserve coveringimportant wildlife habitat has been created in the country under the provisions of the Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to  conserve  wild  animals  including Nilgaiand their habitats.
- ii. The  Ministry  provides  financial  assistance  to  States/Union  Territories under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  'Development  of  Wildlife Habitats' for conservation of wildlife and its habitats. This also includes assistance  for  management  of  human  wildlife  conflict  situations,  and activities  like  habitat  enrichment,  water  augmentation,  solar  fencing, animal proof trenches around forest, water augmentation, fodder plantations, awareness generation, etc.
- iii. The  Ministry  has  issued  an  advisory  to  States/Union  Territories  to  deal with  Human  wildlife  conflict.  The  advisory  recommends  coordinated interdepartmental action, identification of conflict hot spots, adherence to Standard  Operating  Procedures,  establishment  of  rapid  response  teams, formation of State and District level committees to review the quantum of ex-gratia relief, issuing guidance/instructions for expedited payments etc.
- iv. The  Ministry  has  also  issued  guidelines  to  States/UTs  on  managing human-wildlife conflict including damage to crops. The guidelines advise States/UTs  to  utilize  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  BimaYojna  (PMFBY). Under  the  revamped  operational  guidelines  of  PMFBY,States/UTs  may provide add-on coverage for crop loss due to attack by wild animals
- v. The  Ministry  released  the  National  Human-Wildlife  Conflict  Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2026) in October, 2021. The Action Plan has  been  developed  using  a  participatory  approach  to bring a common understanding and consensus among the key stakeholders on the approachesand possible solutions to mitigate Human Wildlife Conflict in the country.
- vi. Under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Ministry, ex gratia relief is payable for loss of life or injury caused by wild animals. The amount of ex gratia relief was enhanced by the Ministry in the year 2018. The amount of ex gratia relief payable under the schemes is as follows:

| S. No   | Nature of damage caused by wild animals   | Amount of exgratia relief                                   |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| i.      | Death or permanent incapacitation         | Rs.5.00 lakh                                                |
| ii.     | Grievous injury                           | Rs.2.00 lakh                                                |
| iii.    | Minor injury                              | Cost of treatment up to Rs.25,000/- per person              |
| iv.     | Loss of property/crops                    | States/UTs may adhere to the cost norms prescribed by them. |