Lok Sabha Question No. 447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Compensation for Crops Damaged due to Wildlife
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 447

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025

## COMPENSATION FOR CROPS DAMAGED DUE TO WILDLIFE

447. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether exists any compensation mechanism for farmers affected by wildlife-related crop damage, and how many claims have been settled in Solapur district in the last three years;
- (b)  whether  the  Ministry  will  take  steps  to  install  protective  fencing  around  Maldhok Sanctuary  to  prevent  crop  damage  by  wild  animals  in  view  of  the  increasing  amount  of sufferings in my constituency, Solapur, Maharashtra; and
- (c) whether there are any plans to coordinate with the State Government to provide rapid assessment and disbursal of compensation to affected farmers in the region ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI  RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (c) : Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest for the crops/areas notified by the concerned State Government.   The losses to crops due to wild animals, being preventable in nature, were therefore not covered earlier. However, at the request of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and State Governments, States have been allowed to notify the losses by  wild animals  on  individual assessment as add on cover at the cost of State Government.  Detailed protocol for such coverage has been given in the Operational Guidelines of the scheme.   As informed by the State Government, Government of Maharashtra has never notified this add on cover under the PMFBY.

Further, the Central Government provides financial assistance to States/ Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes 'Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger' and 'Project Elephant' for management of wildlife and its habitat in the country.  The activities supported under the scheme include construction/erection of physical barriers such as barbed wire  fence,  solar  powered  electric  fence,  bio-fencing  using  cactus,  boundary  walls  etc.  to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields.

An  advisory  on  dealing  with  human-wildlife  conflict  issued  by  the  Ministry  of Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  in    February,  2021  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, and provision of adequate funds for suitable portion of ex-gratia relief to be paid within 24 hours to the affected persons in the case of death and injury to persons.

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides regulatory functions for dealing with human wildlife conflict situations.

The  Central  Government  has  recently,  increased the  ex-gratia payment  in  case  of Human-Wildlife conflict. The revised rates of relief under ex-gratia are as follows:

| S.NO.   | Nature of damage caused by wild animals           | Amount of ex-gratia relief                                            |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)     | Death or permanent incapacitation to human beings | ₹10 lakh                                                              |
| (b)     | Grievous injury                                   | ₹ 2 lakh                                                              |
| (c)     | Minor injury                                      | Cost of treatment upto Rs 25000/-per                                  |
| (d)     | Loss of property/crops                            | State /UT Government may adhere to the cost norms prescribed by them. |

The States/Union Territories are also paying compensation as per their norms.

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