Odisha govt hikes compensation for wild animal attack deaths

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today enhanced compensation in deaths by attacks of wild animals to Rs 4 lakh. The decision of the government is likely to give relief to families of hundreds of people who become victim of wild animals' attack every year.

While addressing a function on the occasion of 'State Level Wildlife Week' here at Jaydev Bhawan on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "The State government has decided to enhance the compensation amount to Rs 4 lakh in case of deaths due to wild animal attacks.”

Besides, compensation has been increased for the deaths of sheep and goats due to attack by wild animals, the CM said.

Forest and Environment minister Bijayashree Routray, who was also present at the function, said the government was earlier giving an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the kin of victims who lost their lives in wild animal attacks but it has now been raised by Rs 1 lakh.

"We have increased the compensation for deaths of sheep, goats (Rs 2,000) and lamb (Rs 750) in wild animal attacks," he said.

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The government has decided to give compensation in case of deaths of sheep and goats for the first time in view of the loss several villagers incurred due to the recent attack by jackals across the State, said Additional Chief Secretary, Suresh Mohapatra.

It is worth mentioning that more than 1000 sheep and goats were killed in wild animals’ attack in Niali, Jagatsinghpur, Bhanjanagar and other parts of the State in the months of July and August this year.