Maha hikes compensation to victims of attacks by wild animals

The Maharashtra government has increased the compensation given to victims of attacks by wild animals as well as the money provided for the treatment of cattle injured in such attacks.

A government order issued here states that the compensation in case of death of a person due to attack by wild animals has been hiked to Rs 10 lakh.

The compensation, in case of the victim suffering a permanent handicap in such attacks, would be Rs 5 lakh while those getting seriously injured would be given Rs 1.25 lakh, the order states.

In cases of people sustaining minor injuries, the compensation will be for medical treatment. If the treatment needs to be carried out in private hospitals, then the compensation for this per person shall have an upper limit of Rs 20,000, the order states.

The list of wild animals, as per the order, comprise tigers, leopards, bears, bison, wild boars, fox, hyena, crocodile, elephants, wild dogs and wolves.

State Forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, while replying to the debate on the supplementary demands on the Budget on July 11, had assured the legislature about the government's intent to increase this compensation.

In the case of domestic cattle getting killed or maimed, the compensation will depend on its market price.

The list of domesticated animals include cows, buffaloes, bulls, sheep, goats and other domesticated livestock.

In the case of cows, buffaloes and bulls getting killed in attacks by wild animals, the compensation will be commensurate to 75 per cent of their market price or Rs 40,000, whichever is less.

In the case of sheep, goats and other domesticated livestock, it will be commensurate to 75 per cent of their market price or Rs 10,000, whichever is less.

In the case of cows, buffaloes and bulls getting maimed in such attacks, the compensation will be 50 per cent of their market price or Rs 12,000, or whichever is less.

In the case of cows, buffaloes, bulls, sheep, goats and other domesticated livestock getting injured by wild animals, compensation will be given for their treatment.

The treatment of such injured domesticated animals should be done at government or zilla parishad veterinary hospitals, the order says.

The compensation will be 25 per cent of the market rate or Rs 4,000 per domesticated animals, according to the order.

It will be reimbursed on the basis of certification by the veterinary doctor, it states.

In the case of compensation paid to the kin of people killed in attacks by wild animals, Rs 3 lakh out of the compensation amount will be given by cheque and Rs 7 lakh will be deposited in the joint bank accounts of nationalised banks in the form of monthly fixed deposits.

These decisions came into effect from July 11.