Forest Minister K. Raju has said that the government will spend ₹9 crore to mitigate man-animal conflict in Wayanad district.
He was speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed buildings for a model forest station and a dormitory at Varayal under the North Wayanad Forest division on Friday.
The compensation for human deaths in wildlife attacks would be increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. A similar increase in compensation for death of domestic animals in wildlife attacks was under consideration, Mr. Raju said. As many as 204 grama panchayat-level Jana Jagratha Samitis had been constituted in the State and the samitis would have the right to decide what kind of preventive measures, including rail fencing, solar fencing, and trench, to be adopted in their area to tackle wildlife attack, the Minister said.
Invasive plants
Steps would be adopted to arrest the growth of invasive plants such as senna spectabilis inside forest areas in the district. Fruit plants would be planted in those areas for the purpose, Mr. Raju said. O.R. Kelu, MLA, presided.
The Minister opened four newly constructed model forest station buildings at Mepadi, Vythiri, Mundakkai in South Wayanad forest division, and Thirunelly in North Wayanad forest division on the day. Those buildings were constructed at a cost of ₹ 165 lakh.
