Statement by Inspector General Wildlife on Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi is known for her love for animals. Today she was upset with the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar for giving permission to various states to kill wild animals to avoid human-wildlife conflicts.

Mrs. Gandhi's was quoted to say that, "The ministry is writing to each state giving permission to kill animals. In West Bengal, they have issued orders to kill elephants, ... they have killed 53 wild boar and given permission to kill 50 more."

This strong response by Maneka Gandhi who is also an animal rights activist too got Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issue a clarification statement from Inspector General Wildlife, Dr. S. K. Khanduri.

Following is the text of the statement made by Inspector General Wildlife on human-wildlife conflicts:

"India is proud of its animal-human coexistence. In some places, animal- human conflicts happen. Last year, more than 500 people lost their lives in human-wildlife conflicts. There are standard operating processes laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Therefore, the Ministry has not given any permission to kill either Deer, Peacock or Elephant.

There are many complaints from Members of Parliament, People's Representatives, State Governments and Farmers about their crops getting heavily damaged in certain parts of the country. There also, the process has been laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 under section 62. No amendment has been made by the Government to this Act. And nothing has been done beyond the procedure prescribed by law.

As per the provision of law, if there are complaints about the wildlife conflict, then State Government has to submit the proposal. Till date, five states have submitted the proposal. The Ministry examines the proposal in detail and allows scientific management in a specific area for a limited time. There were complaints about wild boar, Blue bull and other animals.

Accordingly, these proposals have been examined and given permission for scientific management for a limited time for a specific area in the three states of Uttarakhand, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. Proposals of Maharashtra and Gujarat are still being examined."