Uttarakhand

• 29 May 2023

Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention Fund (Corps Fund)

Why In News?

On May 26, 2023, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment Department of Uttarakhand, R.K. Sudhanshu said that to reduce the incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the state, the department has given green signal to Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention and Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention Fund (Corps Fund). A government order has been issued in this regard.

Key Points:

• It is known that every year 60 to 70 people die in human-wildlife conflict in the state and 250 to 300 people get injured. In order to provide immediate relief in such incidents, the state government has set up a human-wildlife conflict prevention cell as well as a corpus fund of Rs 2 crore.
• The state government will be able to increase or decrease this amount at its own discretion. The special thing is that the amount will be non-lapsable. That is, whatever amount of funds is left every year, it will remain in future also and the amount received in future will go on adding to the fund.
• One Forest Officer of the Forest Department, one GIS expert on contract basis and two JRF, SRF experts will be appointed in the cell.
• The Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention Cell will operate under the office of Chief Wildlife Warden. The cell has been established for scientific analysis of the incidents happening between humans and wildlife in the state.
• What will the cell do:
  • To collect data of every human-wildlife incident happening in the state.
  • To monitor the status of payment of ex-gratia after the event.
  • Scientific analysis of all events.
  • Study of the steps being taken in this regard in other countries and regions.
  • Participation in wildlife census in the state.
  • Other technical work.

Preparation to Give Two Houses to the Residents of Vibrant Village

Why In News?

On May 28, 2023, Nitika Khandelwal, the nodal officer of the Vibrant Village Program in Uttarakhand, said that the state government is preparing to provide houses to the residents of the four vibrant villages of the state even at the places of seasonal migration. For this, instructions were given to send a proposal to the Center in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Dr. S.S Sandhu recently.

Key Points:

• It is known that in the recent meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, instructions have been received that an action plan should be prepared within three months keeping in view the specialty of each village under the Vibrant Village programme.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream project Vibrant Village program includes four border villages of the state, Niti, Mana, Malari and Gunji.
• Under the Vibrant Village programme, such families from each village will be given houses at both the places through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Its proposal will be sent to the Centre. After this, the central government will take a decision on this.
• At the same time, it has also been decided that a district level committee and then a block level committee will be constituted for the Vibrant Village Program under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate in the districts.
• The Border Security Force will buy fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, meat etc. from the people living in the Vibrant Village. A proposal is also being prepared for this, which will soon be sent to the High-Power Committee.
• If any village has any problem or issue with the army or security forces, then its proposal will also have to be sent to the government. A Growth Center will also be set up in every Vibrant Village. ITBP has also appointed one nodal officer for all the Vibrant Villages.
• Chief Secretary Dr. S.S. Sandhu has given instructions that minibuses should operate in the vibrant villages where there is a problem with public transport. For this, the proposal from the district concerned will be made available to the Transport Department.
• All the districts will solve the problems related to land rights immediately by coordinating with the revenue department. Telemedicine facilities will also be provided in Vibrant Village.