Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar Khandre on Monday said that as the wildlife population in the State has increased, the relocation of human settlements inside the forest is being reviewed.
He said that strict measures undertaken by the Forest Department against wildlife poaching has resulted in an increase in the number of wildlife. However, the forest area has not increased in line with the increasing number of wildlife, which has led to human-wildlife conflict.
“The number of tigers in Bandipur, which was only 12 in 1972, has increased to more than 170 today, so the weak tigers are coming out of the forest and incidents of human-wildlife conflict are happening,” he said.
In order to address this, Mr. Khandre said that a meeting, to be chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, would be held soon to improve the coordination between various departments.
“By relocating the human settlements inside the forest, the forest dwellers and their children will enter the mainstream of society. In addition, human-wildlife conflict will also be reduced. Compensation will have to be given for the relocation. It will have to be done in stages. This will be possible if money is allocated for this in the State Budget,” he said.
