21-Mar-2022: Steps to decrease chances of accidental Electrocution of Wild Animals
The steps taken by the Government to manage human-animal conflict and decrease the chances of accidental electrocution of wild animals, include the following:
- Financial assistance is provided by the Ministry to States/Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant for activities like creation and maintenance of water holes for wild animals in Protected Areas, soil and moisture conservation measures, establishment of anti-poaching camps, strengthening wildlife veterinary care, eradication of weeds, creation and maintenance of fire lines, deployment of Tiger Protection Force and special Tiger Protection Force etc.
- The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and the Rules made thereunder also provide for use of the Fund for development of wildlife habitats, establishment of animal rescue centers, etc.
- Wildlife Institute of India, in consultation with the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, National Highway Authority, National Tiger Conservation Authority and World Bank Group, has published guidelines on eco-friendly measures to mitigate the impacts of linear infrastructure to assist project agencies in designing linear infrastructure, including electric transmission lines.
- User agencies have been requested to comply with electricity rules and regulations and to maintain minimum ground clearance for electric transmission lines in order to minimize deaths of elephants due to electrocution.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority has issued generic guidelines for formulating a Security Plan for each tiger reserve which is operationalized in the overarching Tiger Conservation Plan which is legally mandated under section 38 V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- WCCB has issued advisories to States/UTs to prevent deaths of wild animals due to electrocution.