Uttarakhand to set up sterilisation centres in all districts to control wildlife population

The Uttarakhand government will set up modern wildlife sterilisation and rehabilitation centres to control the wildlife population in all 13 districts of the state. This was stated by the chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Saturday.

Chief Minister said that the decision for strict adherence to the wildlife population control plan was taken in the wake of rising man-animal conflicts in the state, especially in the hill areas.

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“Recurring cases of man-wildlife conflicts are frequently coming to light for some time. Besides this massive damage to agriculture and horticulture crops owing to attacks by animals like elephants, blue bulls, bears, leopards, and monkeys, there is a need for effective measures to reduce man-animal conflicts. This can be done by raising solar fencing and sensor-based alert systems in a phased and planned manner around the fields adjoining forest-covered areas,” said Dhami.

Chief Minister added, “Population control of wild animals has also been necessary to prevent man-animal conflicts. Modern wildlife sterilisation centres will be set up by the state forest department in every district. Along with this, rescue and rehabilitation centres for identified wild animals will also be opened in every district of the state.”

Chief Minister stated that the needed spade works for implementation of these plans will be completed on priority, and an action plan for the same will be presented in the next two weeks.

Chief Minister announced that forest officials in ranges will be delegated more power for effective prevention of human-wildlife conflict under the relevant provisions of the Central Wildlife Act.

Dhami claimed that necessary amendments will be made to the law as required for decentralisation of power in the forest department, as a discussion with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has already been held in this regard.