CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directs Uttarakhand officials to strengthen patrols, build fencing, and organize awareness camps to prevent human-wildlife conflict.

The 22nd meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, was conducted on Tuesday at the state secretariat in Dehradun. expressed concern about the growing number of incidences of human-wildlife conflict and asked officials to take strong steps to control them.

CM Dhami stated that vigilance should be strengthened in regions affected by bears, leopards, tigers, and elephants, and that the forest department and district administration should work together to establish a cooperative monitoring system.

He stated that regular patrols, digital surveillance, and early warning systems would be fully operational in vulnerable regions. He also ordered that solar fencing, bio-fencing, beehive fencing, watchtowers, and other safeguards be built in impacted areas. He also directed the organization of awareness camps to educate villagers about alertness and safety, as well as the constant activation of quick response teams.

CM Dhami stated that the conservation of all wildlife corridors in the state, particularly elephant and tiger corridors, should be prioritised. The strategy for building animal passes, underpasses, and overpasses along wildlife routes should be executed more successfully. He stated that if current wildlife protection rules or provisions need to be amended, the relevant departments should conduct a thorough assessment and swiftly submit change suggestions to the government.

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At the meeting, CM Dhami requested that the Wildlife Coordination Committee, chaired by the District Magistrates, remain active at the district level, and that hot spot mapping of sensitive districts, blocks, and villages be completed quickly. He ordered that security measures be tightened near schools, Anganwadis, water sources, and pedestrian trails. He went on to say that solid waste management should be carefully enforced in rural regions to keep bears and other wildlife away from populated areas.

CM Dhami stated that work should be done in the state’s animal sanctuaries and conservation reserves to boost the eco-tourism system, as well as reserve forests. Veterinarians should also be available in the Territorial Forest Division to help prevent human-wildlife conflict and maintain public safety.