Jammu, Mar 08 (KNO): Compassion Rajouri, an animal welfare organization, has expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of man-animal conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, which have claimed 32 lives and left 269 people injured over the past two years.The organization emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate human-wildlife encounters and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
According to government data presented in response to a query by MLA Mir Saifullah, a total of Rs 2.76 crore has been disbursed as compensation to the victims and their families during this period.
The Minister In-charge of Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department stated that 16 people lost their lives in 2023-24, while another 16 fatalities were recorded in 2024-25 due to man-animal conflicts. Additionally, 124 individuals sustained injuries in 2023-24, with the number rising to 145 in 2024-25, bringing the total to 269 injuries over two years.
Refuting claims that victims were not compensated, the Minister clarified that financial assistance has been provided as per government order No. 139 JK (FST) of 2023, dated 28.06.2023. The compensation figures stand at Rs 1.21 crore for 2023-24 and Rs 1.55 crore for 2024-25, totaling Rs 2.76 crore.
Expressing concern over the tragic loss of lives, Compassion Rajouri urged authorities to implement long-term strategies to prevent such conflicts, including better habitat management, awareness programs, and the establishment of rapid response teams to handle wildlife intrusion cases.
The organization also appealed to the public to adopt humane approaches towards wildlife and emphasized the importance of coexistence, advocating for stronger conservation efforts while ensuring human safety.
Meanwhile, the police and forest department have taken cognizance of the incidents and initiated measures to curb such occurrences in the future.
Author: therajouritimes
Lakkar Mandi Janipur Jammu
