Government approves advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict across the country

Government approves advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict across the country

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment

In news 

• The Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has approved the advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the country. 
• The advisory makes important prescriptions for the States/ Union Territories for dealing with Human-Wildlife conflict situations and seeks expedited inter-departmental coordinated and effective actions.

Key measures approved

• Empowering gram panchayats in dealing with the problematic wild animals as per the section 11 (1) (b) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Utilising add-on coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna for crop compensation against crop damage due to HWC. 
• Augmenting fodder and water sources within the forest areas. 
• Payment of a portion of ex-gratia as interim relief within 24 hours of the incident to the victim/family.
• Prescribing inter-departmental committees at local/state level. 
• Adoption of early warning systems 
• Creation of barriers
• Dedicated circle wise Control Rooms with toll free hotline numbers which could be operated on 24X7 basis. 
• Identification of hotspots and formulation and implementation of special plans for improved stall-fed farm animals etc.
• Inclusion of Caracal, a medium size wild cat found in some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, into the list of critically endangered species

Do you know? 

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
• The Standing Committee of NBWL considers proposals after a series of levels of scrutiny and have recommendations of the State Chief Wildlife Warden, State Government and the State Board for Wildlife. 
• During the meetings of SC-NBWL, the views of the expert members are taken into consideration before arriving at decisions.

Important value additions 

The caracal

• It is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India.
• It is Typically nocturnal. 
• The caracal is highly secretive and difficult to observe. 
• It is territorial. 
• It lives mainly alone or in pairs. 
• The caracal is a carnivore
• Caracals were tamed and used for hunting in ancient Egypt.
• In India, the caracal occurs in Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. 
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern since 2002
• Threats: Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, the building of roads and settlements
• CITES status: (1) African caracal populations – Appendix II; (2) Asian populations – Appendix I.