Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and around Forest Areas: Assistance in case of Death/Injury/Disability due to Wild Animal Attack

The scheme “Assistance in Case of Death/Injury/Disability Due to Wild Animal Attack” is a sub-component of the umbrella scheme “Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and Around Forest Areas”, which is implemented by the Department of Forest, Government of Uttarakhand. The aim of the scheme is to provide timely financial assistance and relief to individuals or their dependents in cases of death, injury, or disability caused by attacks from wild animals such as tigers, leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles, snakes, and other specified species in and around forest areas.

The following compensation amounts are currently given in case of injury/death of a person due to wildlife attack:
*Type of Human InjuryRates payable for ex-gratia amount as per Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Rules, 2024*As per Norms of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)**Source of Payment : Amount payable from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)*Source of Payment : Amount payable under Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024Minor Injury1. ₹15,000/- 2. 16,000/- A deep wound that requires hospitalization: 1. ₹5,400/- per person 2. ₹16,000/- per person₹9,600/- per personSerious Injury₹1,00,000/-A deep wound that requires hospitalization: 1. ₹5,400/- per person 2. ₹16,000/- per person1. ₹94,600/- per person 2. ₹84,000/- per personPartial Disability₹1,00,000/-Loss of any body part (including penis) or eye/eyes: Disability between 40% and 60%: ₹74,000/- per person. ₹74,000/- per person₹26,000/- per personTotal Disability₹3,00,000/- ₹3.00 lakh per person for disability exceeding 60%, subject to certification by a doctor from a Government hospital or dispensary confirming the extent and cause of the disability.₹2,50,000/- per person₹50,000/- per personIn Case of Death of an Adult or a Minor₹6,00,000/- ₹4.00 lakh per person: This includes individuals involved in relief operations or preparedness activities, subject to certification of the cause of death by the competent authority.₹4,00,000/- per person₹2,00,000/- per person**However, for compensation provided for human injury caused by wild animals, it is illegal for family members or any other person to claim the ex-gratia amount if an elderly, medically unfit, disabled, mentally unstable, or minor person is left alone in the forest and is harmed by wild animals.*

1. The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand.
2. The applicant or their dependent must have suffered death, injury, or disability due to an attack by a wild animal such as:

• Tiger
• Leopard
• Snow Leopard
• Wild Elephant
• All three species of bear
• Hyena
• Wild Boar
• Crocodile / Gharial
• Snake

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• In the event of death, serious injury, or disability caused by a wild animal, 30% of the total compensation amount payable for the incident will be provided to the victim or dependent as an advance. This will be based on the confirmation of the incident by the village head of the affected area, any currently serving public representative, and the forest guard of the concerned area. The advance will be provided within a maximum of 48 hours (excluding public holidays) from the receipt of information regarding the loss of life or property.
• The remaining amount will be paid upon receipt of the final investigation report. For the payment of the compensation, the Aadhar card, mobile number, and bank account details of the victim or dependent are required.
• In cases where a person is killed, seriously injured, or disabled by a wild animal, a certificate issued by a state government doctor must be submitted to the office of the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) or Deputy Director. The DFO/Deputy Director will then have full authority to approve or release the ex-gratia payment based on the final investigation report prepared by the concerned Assistant Conservator of Forests or Wildlife Warden. The DFO/Deputy Director will also forward complete details of the case to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
• The final investigation report must be submitted within 15 days of the incident. Before making the final payment of the ex-gratia amount, a certificate will be obtained from the Revenue Department regarding the dependents of the deceased. If the final investigation report does not confirm that the victim was killed, seriously injured, or disabled by a wild animal, the advance amount paid to the victim or dependent will be recovered as revenue.

Note: The Forest Department has issued a toll-free number, 1800-890-9715, where any person can report human-wildlife incidents or the presence of wildlife in populated areas anywhere in the state.