Thiruvananthapuram, 14 March (H.S.): The Kerala government has decided to provide enhanced financial assistance to victims of wildlife attacks and their families, approving draft guidelines that standardise compensation and ensure quicker relief. The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet, which cleared proposals to extend additional support through the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Under the new guidelines, families of people who lose their lives in wildlife attacks will receive a total compensation of ₹14 lakh. Of this amount, ₹4 lakh will be provided from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), while the remaining ₹10 lakh will be given as financial assistance from the Forest and Wildlife Department.

However, in cases where deaths occur due to attacks by snakes, bees, or hornets, the compensation will be limited to ₹4 lakh, which will be paid from the SDRF.

The Cabinet also approved compensation norms for victims who suffer injuries or disabilities due to wildlife encounters. Individuals who sustain disabilities ranging between 40% and 60% will receive a total compensation of ₹2 lakh. This includes ₹74,000 from the SDRF and ₹1.26 lakh from the Forest and Wildlife Department.

Victims who suffer more than 60% disability as a result of wildlife attacks will be eligible for compensation of ₹2.5 lakh.

The guidelines also address cases involving serious injuries. If a victim requires hospitalisation for more than a week following a wildlife attack, they will receive ₹1 lakh as financial assistance. Of this, ₹16,000 will be provided from the SDRF and ₹84,000 from the Forest and Wildlife Department.

For victims who require hospital treatment for less than a week, the compensation will also total ₹1 lakh, with ₹5,400 provided from the SDRF and ₹94,600 from the Forest and Wildlife Department.

Officials said the new framework is aimed at creating a uniform system for compensation across the State while ensuring that victims and their families receive financial assistance without unnecessary delays.

The move comes amid growing concerns over increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict in several parts of Kerala, particularly in districts bordering forest areas. By formalising the compensation structure, the government hopes to provide timely relief and strengthen support mechanisms for those affected by such incidents.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman