Adivasi farmer Sidam Kanniram from Sungapur pointing to the spot where a tiger emerged and killed his two cows within a month in Jainoor mandal, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, on Wednesday. (Image: DC)
Sungapur: Fast compensation to farmers for cattle losses caused by tigers can prevent retaliatory actions against the big cats, according to forest department officials, who have learned from past incidents.
The rise in cattle kills is attributed to increased tiger movement in the erstwhile Adilabad district, with the animals migrating from Maharashtra’s Thippeshwar and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserves. Farmers, whose livelihoods heavily depend on cattle, often face financial hardship when their livestock is killed. Delayed compensation fosters resentment toward the tigers, putting them at risk.
In response, the state government recently increased compensation for losses caused by wildlife, including cattle, crops, and human casualties. The forest department has expedited compensation payments to mitigate the risk to tigers in the district.
One incident from January 2024 highlights the consequences of delayed payments. An adivasi farmer, disappointed by the delay in compensation for eight cattle killed by a tiger near Dharigaon beat in Kagaznagar mandal, reportedly poisoned the animal to death.
Efforts to prevent such incidents include swift compensation payments. In Nirmal district, forest officials promptly compensated farmers for cattle losses, including Rs 5,000 in immediate relief. In Asifabad Komaram Bheem district, DFO Neeraj Tibrewal personally ensured compensation payments of Rs 12,000 and Rs 25,000 for cattle killed by a tiger in the Kerameri and Jodeghat forest ranges.
Farmer Sidam Kanniram, who lost two cattle to a tiger near Sungapur in Jainoor mandal, expressed satisfaction with the swift response of the forest department. On his request, Neeraj Tibrewal and other staff visited his village and handed over the compensation in cash instead of a cheque.
The same tiger has continued to kill livestock and herbivores, resting near water bodies in the Kerameri ghats. On November 18, it killed a bullock in Chorgaon village, Narnoor mandal. Compensation has been promised to cattle owner Rathod Tharachand. Similarly, an oxen was killed in Bhurkaregardi village, Mamada mandal, a few days ago.
Another pressing issue is the pending salaries of forest watchers and animal trackers, who play a critical role in monitoring tigers and other wildlife and protecting them from poachers. Addressing this issue is essential for the effective conservation of tigers and their habitats.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story
