Owners of injured, dead livestock to be compensated

The owners of any injured or dead livestock killed by a wild animal will now get more compensation. This decision has been taken by Sudhir Mungantiwar, minister of finance, planning and forest department. It will include attacks by tigers, leopards, bears, wild pigs, crocodiles, elephants, wild dogs and foxes. The livestock will include cows, bulls, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. The decision to compensate the animals was last taken on July 2nd, 2010 in which the compensation was less, which will now be increased.

Usually cows, buffaloes and bulls die and cost a lot to the owners, hence 75% of the market price of these animals, would now be compensated to them. If the 75% of the original cost is more than Rs 25000, the owner will be given the same amount, not more than that. In case of sheep, goats and others, the owners will get 75% of the market price with a limit of Rs 6000.

If the cows, buffalos and bulls, get injured or permanently disabled, they will get 50% of the original price with a limit of Rs 7500. If sheep, goats and others get injured or disabled, the owners will get 25% of the price with a limit of Rs 2500. If the livestock gets injured, it has to be now taken to the government veterinary hospital, the expenses of which will be borne by the government. The compensation would be provided on the basis of the certificate provided by the veterinarian at the government hospital.

The owner of the livestock is supposed to inform the forest officer or the staff of the Forest Department within 48 hours of the injury or death of the animal in order to receive the compensation. Upon receiving the information, the wanpal is supposed to immediately visit the spot and do the ‘punchnama'.

This monetary amount will be deposited to the owner's bank account according to government orders.

In special cases where human beings die from the wild animal attacks, then the family would get compensation of Rs 8 lakh. Earlier this year, the decision to help people get compensation when their crops are destroyed by wild animals was taken. After that, this is the second decision taken by the Forest Minister. This decision brings great amount of relief to the farmers.