Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and around Forest Areas: Assistance in case of Death/Injury/Disability due to Wild Animal Attack

Description
The scheme “Assistance in Case of Death/Injury/Disability Due to Wild Animal Attack” is a sub-component of the umbrella scheme “Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and Around Forest Areas”, which is implemented by the Department of Forest, Government of Uttarakhand. The aim of the scheme is to provide timely financial assistance and relief to individuals or their dependents in cases of death, injury, or disability caused by attacks from wild animals such as tigers, leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles, snakes, and other specified species in and around forest areas.

Benefits
• ***The following compensation amounts are currently given in case of injury/death of a person due to wildlife attack:***
• **Type of Human Injury****Rates payable for ex-gratia amount as per Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Rules, 2024****As per Norms of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)****Source of Payment : Amount payable from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)****Source of Payment : Amount payable under Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024**Minor Injury1. ₹15,000/- 2. 16,000/- A deep wound that requires hospitalization: 1. ₹5,400/- per person 2. ₹16,000/- per person₹9,600/- per personSerious Injury₹1,00,000/-A deep wound that requires hospitalization: 1. ₹5,400/- per person 2. ₹16,000/- per person1. ₹94,600/- per person 2. ₹84,000/- per personPartial Disability₹1,00,000/-Loss of any body part (including penis) or eye/eyes: Disability between 40% and 60%: ₹74,000/- per person. ₹74,000/- per person₹26,000/- per personTotal Disability₹3,00,000/- ₹3.00 lakh per person for disability exceeding 60%, subject to certification by a doctor from a Government hospital or dispensary confirming the extent and cause of the disability.₹2,50,000/- per person₹50,000/- per personIn Case of Death of an Adult or a Minor₹6,00,000/- ₹4.00 lakh per person: This includes individuals involved in relief operations or preparedness activities, subject to certification of the cause of death by the competent authority.₹4,00,000/- per person₹2,00,000/- per person***However, for compensation provided for human injury caused by wild animals, it is illegal for family members or any other person to claim the ex-gratia amount if an elderly, medically unfit, disabled, mentally unstable, or minor person is left alone in the forest and is harmed by wild animals.***
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Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand.
2. The applicant or their dependent must have suffered death, injury, or disability due to an attack by a wild animal such as:
3. - Tiger
4. - Leopard
5. - Snow Leopard
6. - Wild Elephant
7. - All three species of bear
8. - Hyena
9. - Wild Boar
10. - Crocodile / Gharial
11. - Snake
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Required Documents
• Aadhaar Card of the victim or dependent
• Mobile Number
• Bank Account Details
• Medical Report
• Medical Certificate (in case of injury or disability)
• Death Certificate (in case of death)
• Confirmation Certificate from the village head, public representative, and forest guard verifying the incident
• Other supporting documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of incidents are covered under this scheme?
A: The scheme covers death, serious injury, or permanent disability caused by attacks from wild animals such as tigers, leopards, snow leopards, wild elephants, bears, hyenas, wild boars, crocodiles/gharial, snakes, and other specified species in and around forest areas.
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Q: Who is eligible to claim compensation?
A: The victim or their legal dependents are eligible to claim compensation. Family members or others cannot claim if the victim was an old person, medically unfit, handicapped, mentally unbalanced, or a minor left alone in the forest.
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Q: How is the advance payment provided?
A: 30% of the total payable amount is provided as an advance within a maximum of 48 hours (excluding public holidays) from the receipt of information about the incident.
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Q: Who approves the final ex-gratia payment?
A: The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) or Deputy Director approves or releases the ex-gratia amount based on the final investigation report prepared by the Assistant Conservator of Forests/Wildlife Warden.
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Q: Within how many days is the final investigation report submitted?
A: The final investigation report is prepared and submitted within 15 days of the incident.
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Q: What is the procedure if a person is seriously injured by a wild animal?
A: The victim must obtain a certificate from a state government doctor and submit it to the Divisional Forest Officer/Deputy Director, who will process the compensation based on the investigation report.
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Q: How can incidents be reported?
A: Incidents can be reported through the toll-free number of the Forest Department: 1800 890 9715.
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