Uttarakhand CM Unveils Boost in Wildlife Protection and Compensation

At the Wildlife Week inauguration in Dehradun, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a significant increase in compensation for wildlife attack victims. Highlighting Uttarakhand's rich biodiversity and spiritual ties to animals, he emphasized the state's commitment to balancing development with conservation, leveraging technology and local community involvement.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marked the commencement of Wildlife Week at the Dehradun Zoo by announcing a substantial increase in compensation for human casualties due to wildlife attacks, raising the amount to ₹10 lakh. He underscored the spiritual connection between India's faith and wildlife, emphasizing that conservation has been integral to the culture.

During his address, CM Dhami pointed out that approximately 14.77% of Uttarakhand's land is designated as protected natural areas, significantly higher than the national average of 5.27%. He highlighted the state's commitment to balancing tourism with wildlife conservation by promoting eco-tourism and utilizing technology like drones and GPS for better monitoring.

Dhami also outlined initiatives such as the 'CM Young Eco-Entrepreneur' scheme, empowering youth with skills in eco-friendly enterprises. He appealed for responsible tourism aligned with PM Narendra Modi's 'Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)' initiative. State Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal reaffirmed that forest protection is crucial for sustainable development.

(With inputs from agencies.)