Gadchiroli Dec. 13 (District Correspondent) The agitation of the congress Party has borne fruits as the forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has issued orders to increase the compensation of the victs of the wild animals’ attacks and also to take action against the officials neglecting in the issue.
A delegation of the party leaders met Mr. Mungantiwar at Nagpur recently and discussed the issue with him in detail. In the remote, tribal-dominated Gadchiroli district, employment opportunities are not available, and the citizens here are completely dependent on agriculture. Meanwhile, in the last two years, wild animals in the forested areas of the district have killed many people. Even though the compensation is being given, it is very meagre and given very late, pointed out the leaders.
Mr. Mungantiwar held a review meeting with the delegation led by Gadchiroli District Congress Committee President Mahendra Bramhanwade at the Hari Singh Auditorium of the Forest Department at Seminary Hills Nagpur, during which instructions were given to the officials of the Forest Department. MLAs Dr. Devrao Holi, Krishna Gajbe, Subhash Dhote, Maharashtra Pradesh General Secretary of Congress Dr. Namdev Kirsan, former ZP Vice President Manohar Poretti, Youth congress leader Vishwajit Kovose,
- Venu Gopal Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief of Forest Force Shailendra Tembhurnikar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Mahip Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests Lakshmi, Gadchiroli Conservator of Forests S. Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Wadsa Forest Division Dharmaveer Salvitthal.
As many as 25 to 30 people have died in tiger attacks in various parts of Gadchiroli district in the last two years. Although the compensation paid to the families of the person who died in the incident has been increased, it is not possible to compensate the immense loss of the family. The compensation for damage caused by wild elephants should be increased, the damage caused to grain in godowns should not be taken into account, the condition of online application should be cancelled, it was demanded.
Replying to the discussion, Mr. Mungantiwar said that the compensation for crop damage caused by wild elephants will be increased to Rs 50,000, channel fencing will be provided in farm areas and concrete measures will be taken to keep the citizens alert by getting proper location of tigers and wild elephants, compensation will be paid if houses are damaged by wild elephants. There should be an increase in the compensation and concrete measures will be taken to settle the wild elephants, he assured. Apart from submitting a study report, the compensation should be paid within 30 days. The employees neglecting the issue will be suspended, he assured.
Forest Minister Mungantiwar has given instructions to the concerned forest officials in this regard. Mr. Mahendra Bramhanwade thanked Mr. Mungantiwar for accepting the Congress delegation’s demands. Mr. Chhagan Shedamke, Milind Khobragade, Tejas Madavi, Vinod Lengure, Pinku Bawane, Mohit Atre and activists were also present.
