By IANS,
New Delhi : Concerned over increasing cases of human-leopard conflict, India Monday released the first-of-its-kind guidelines for managing the strife.
Released by the environment ministry, the guidelines are based on consultations with scientists, experts and various scientific studies and reports.
The guidelines outline key action points, drawing upon previous efforts at conflict mitigation by some highly affected states like Maharashtra, Uttaranchal and Jammu and Kashmir.
The guidelines outline a three-pronged strategy – spreading awareness, training teams to handle conflict emergencies and using latest technology and scientific know-how to improve efficacy of capture, handling, care and translocation of the animal.
“Man-leopard conflicts have been hitting the headlines regularly in different states. Such conflicts are locale-specific and these guidelines intend to provide a guidance framework to be adopted to deal with incidents of loss of life and livestock caused by leopards,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.
“I am sure the local communities, field forest officers, and revenue and other district administration officials will find this booklet useful in dealing with such situations,” he added.