Rs 10 lakh for victims of animal attack: Maharashtra government

The state government will compensate the kin of those who have lost their lives in attacks by wild animals like tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, bisons, bears, wild boars and crocodiles, with a compensation of Rs 10 lakh. This is a rise from the previous amount of Rs 8 lakh, making it among the highest in the country, and will serve to mitigate cases of man-animal conflict.

Of this, Rs 3 lakh will be paid in cash with the remaining Rs 7 lakh kept as a fixed deposit in a nationalised bank.

A government resolution in this regard has been issued by the state forest department recently. People who have been handicapped in attacks by such animals will get Rs 5 lakh, while the amount will be Rs 1.25 lakh for those grievously injured. In case the victims are treated in private hospitals, they will be given up to Rs 20,000.

In case those dwelling near forests lose their cattle to animal attacks, they will get Rs 40,000 or 75% of the market rates, whichever is lower, for cows, buffaloes and bullocks, while it will be Rs 10,000 or 75% of the market rate, whichever is lower, for goats and sheep. The compensation for milch and draught animals handicapped in these attacks will be Rs 12,000 or 50% of the market value, whichever is lower.