Tral, October 24: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday disbursed ex-gratia relief among victims of human-wildlife conflict in the Tral Sub-Division of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The relief cheques were distributed during a Workshop-cum-Orientation Programme on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Wildlife Management organised by the Wildlife Division Shopian under the theme “Promoting Coexistence Through Conservation, Capacity Building and Scientific Wildlife Management.”
MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik was the chief guest at the programme, which was attended by Wildlife Warden Shopian Sohail Ahmad Wagay, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Range Officers of Tral and Khangund Ranges, and other officers and staff of the department.
On the occasion, the MLA handed over ex-gratia relief cheques ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2 lakh to victims of human-wildlife conflict and their families. Among the beneficiaries, Nazir Ahmad Kallas, son of Mohammad Abdullah; Mohammad Yaseen Pashal, son of Juma Pashal; and Ruheena, daughter of Mohammad Abbas, each received Rs. 25,000 as compensation for injuries sustained in human-wildlife conflict incidents.
Officials told Kashmir Convener that the cheques were issued by the Shopian Wildlife Division through Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik appreciated the department’s prompt response in extending financial assistance to affected families. He said timely compensation could help ease the hardships faced by victims and their families following such incidents.
He urged residents living near forest areas to take necessary precautions and immediately report wildlife sightings to the concerned department. He also called for strengthening rapid-response mechanisms and intensifying awareness campaigns in vulnerable areas to minimise human-wildlife conflict.
Wildlife Warden Sohail Ahmad Wagay briefed participants on the department’s initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including rescue operations, capacity-building and training of field staff, community awareness programmes, and timely processing of ex-gratia relief cases.
He reiterated the department’s commitment to safeguarding human lives while protecting wildlife, emphasising that peaceful coexistence between local communities and wildlife is essential for sustainable conservation.
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