Plans afoot to reduce man-animal conflict

Following seven human killings by the big cat in Mailani forest range, Lakhimpur Kheri, the forest department officials have decided to initiate steps to keep wild animals at a distance from the human habitat in the area where tigers are active.

In a review meeting held in Lucknow on Friday, principal secretary forest Sanjeev Saran directed officials to take steps to ensure that man animal conflicts are reduced in the area by initiating several measures. “In about 300 metres of the forest boundary human and domestic animals should be prohibited so that there is no risk to their lives,” Saran told officials.

Saran directed that pamphlets be printed and distributed with measures written on it so that people can take precautions on their own. In addition, information about movement of tiger should also be made public through announcement and fire crackers should be used frequently to keep tiger at bay. A quick response team was also proposed in the area.

The forest department had called elephants in the area after the tiger came in to human habitat. The principal secretary directed senior officials to keep the entire staff in loop and update each other about movement of the elusive tiger so that efforts to nab the beast are successful.