Wildlife and environment indispensable, conservation a collective responsibility, says Dhami PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the compensation for the next-of-kin of those killed in human-wildlife conflict will be increased from Rs six lakh to Rs 10 lakh. This announcement comes at a time when the authorities continue to struggle to effectively tackle rising human-wildlife conflict without any major concrete results so far. Speaking at a Wildlife Week programme held here on Friday, the CM said, “Wildlife is an indispensable part of our faith, culture and tradition. Our goddesses and gods have all given a message of co-existence with wild animals. There are six national parks and seven wildlife sanctuaries though Uttarakhand covers only about 5.27 per cent of the nation’s area, which exemplifies the State’s commitment to conservation. The State’s greenery and the wildlife roaming free in such areas attract lakhs of tourists from across India and abroad throughout the year. We are committed to focus on the facilities for tourists while also ensuring that the natural form of the forests is maintained along with the protection of wildlife,” the CM said. Dhami further said that inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State government is striving to maintain a balance among economy, ecology and technology while ensuring development and conservation of natural resources. The CM directed Forest department officials to identify and develop at least one tourist destination in every district. Such locations should be made attractive for visitors without altering their natural identity. Dhami said that the State government is working on a new eco-tourism model to connect people to the jungles while also ensuring that the environment does not suffer any damage. The CM said that there has been an encouraging rise in the population of tigers, leopards, elephants and snow leopards due to collective efforts. However, challenges posed by human-wildlife conflicts have also increased simultaneously. The government is using modern technology and scientific solutions to tackle this conflict. The Forest department is being provided drones and GPS facility to further enhance monitoring and security of wildlife. At the same time, new livelihood opportunities are being created for local residents to further encourage their involvement in protection of the jungles and wildlife, the CM added. Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that protecting forests and wildlife is a collective responsibility. The State will move forward only with an effective combination of economy, ecology and technology, he said.
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