Global Governanace News

Tag: human-wildlife conflict

  • PM Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Tiger Conservation

    PM Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Tiger Conservation

    • PM Modi extends greetings on Global Tiger Day.
    • Says India is home to almost 70% of the global tiger population.
    • Reaffirms commitment to science-based and community-led tiger conservation.
    • Praises forest personnel, scientists and conservationists for protecting tigers.

    GG News Bureau
    New Delhi, 29th July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to wildlife enthusiasts on the occasion of Global Tiger Day, reaffirming India’s commitment to tiger conservation through science-based policies, community participation and sustainable development.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said India takes pride in being home to almost 70 per cent of the global tiger population, describing the country’s conservation efforts as rooted in its centuries-old tradition of living in harmony with nature.

    “Greetings to all wildlife enthusiasts on Global Tiger Day. The people of India are proud of the fact that we are home to almost 70% of the global tiger population,” Modi said.

    He said India’s tiger conservation initiatives are driven by the collective will of its people and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to science-based conservation, community participation and sustainable development to strengthen tiger protection.

    The Prime Minister also lauded the contribution of forest personnel, scientists and conservationists, saying their dedication has played a vital role in safeguarding the country’s tiger population.

    “The efforts and dedication of our forest personnel, scientists and conservationists have also played a key role in tiger protection,” he said.

    Modi further reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering local communities and reducing human-wildlife conflict, describing both as essential components of India’s long-term wildlife conservation strategy.

  • Maharashtra to Recognize Snake Rescuers with IDs, Insurance

    Maharashtra to Recognize Snake Rescuers with IDs, Insurance

    • Maharashtra plans to provide ID cards and ₹10 lakh accident insurance to snake rescuers.
    • Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision after a high-level meeting.
    • A formal recommendation will be sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis soon.

    GG News Bureau
    Mumbai, 24th July: The Maharashtra government plans to issue identity cards and provide accident insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh to snake rescuers, recognizing their crucial role in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced this decision on Thursday following a high-level meeting.

    A formal recommendation to extend these benefits to snake rescuers will soon be forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the minister confirmed. Bawankule emphasized the risks snake rescuers undertake, stating, “Snake rescuers often risk their lives to protect villagers from venomous snakes and ensure that the reptiles are safely relocated to their natural habitats.” He acknowledged their “selfless contribution” as the driving force behind the plan to provide official ID cards and accident insurance. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will also be developed to guide their work.

    Highlighting the “critical nature” of snake rescuers’ contributions, the minister underscored the necessity of classifying snake rescue as an essential service. This classification would enable their inclusion in broader disaster response mechanisms.

    To foster better coordination and transparency, the forest department’s website will feature a dedicated portal listing certified snake rescuers. This online resource aims to facilitate quicker responses during emergencies and provide the public with readily accessible, verified contact information. The government believes this initiative will not only support the rescuers themselves but also significantly bolster overall wildlife conservation efforts.

    The meeting where these decisions were made saw the participation of key officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Milind Mhaiskar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) M. Srinivas Reddy, and Prof. Sambhajirao Patil, President of the All India Snake Rescuers and Animal Lovers Association.

  • Lion Kills 5-Year-Old Boy in Gujarat’s Amreli; Captured Later

    Lion Kills 5-Year-Old Boy in Gujarat’s Amreli; Captured Later

    GG News Bureau
    Amreli, 25th June: A five-year-old boy was mauled to death by a lion in Gujarat’s Amreli district on Wednesday afternoon, sparking renewed concerns over the growing presence of Asiatic lions in human-inhabited areas outside Gir National Park.

    According to Forest Department officials, the child—identified as Gulsingh Harilal Ajnera, son of a labourer—was dragged away from a farm near Thordi village in Savarkundla range. His lifeless body was discovered about 100 metres from the spot.

    Range Forest Officer (RFO) Pratap Chandu confirmed that a swift operation was launched to capture the lion. “The big cat was successfully caged by the evening and has been relocated to a nearby animal rescue centre,” he said.

    This tragic incident comes amid the backdrop of a steady rise in Gujarat’s lion population, which has grown from 674 to 891 in the last five years, as per the latest wildlife census conducted in May 2025. While Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary remains the traditional habitat of Asiatic lions, the census revealed that 507 of the estimated 891 lions now reside outside the protected area across 11 districts of the Saurashtra region.

    Amreli is one of these districts, although it is not part of the Gir reserve. Other districts reporting lion presence include Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar and Botad.

    The increasing movement of lions into agricultural and human settlement zones has raised alarms among local residents and conservationists alike, with experts calling for a review of current habitat and conflict mitigation strategies.

    Forest officials have urged people living in fringe areas to remain vigilant and avoid movement during early morning and late evening hours. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death are ongoing, and compensation procedures for the victim’s family have been initiated.