AI SummaryCompensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and around Forest Areas: Assistance for Damage to Houses Due to Wild Elephant Attacks provides ex-gratia payment to residents of Uttarakhand whose homes, huts, or boundary walls are damaged by wild elephants. Under the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024, the state government has raised the compensation rates for house damage caused by wild elephants and bears, and the updated amounts are being paid during 2026-27.
This state-level relief framework is handled by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. It covers pucca houses, kutcha houses, huts, and boundary walls damaged in or near forest areas. After the damage is verified by forest officials, the money is transferred directly to the affected family's bank account.
Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and around Forest Areas: Assistance for Damage to Houses Due to Wild Elephant Attacks - Introduction
Wild elephants frequently enter villages in Uttarakhand that sit close to forest boundaries, and they often damage residential structures while moving through human settlements. The state government has made this compensation framework so that families do not have to bear the full cost of repairing or rebuilding their homes after such incidents.
As per the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024, compensation is now payable for damage caused by wild elephants and all three species of bears found in the state. The rules also cover new animal species, and a nine-member committee headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests manages the payment process. A revolving fund of ₹20 lakh is sent to every forest division to make sure claims are cleared without delay.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Compensation for Loss of Life and Property Caused by Wild Animals in and around Forest Areas: Assistance for Damage to Houses Due to Wild Elephant Attacks |
| Level | State |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Category | Housing and Shelter |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Main Department | Uttarakhand Forest Department |
| Rules | Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024 |
| Tags | Damage to houses, Elephant, Wild elephant attacks |
Benefits
Compensation is paid according to the type of structure and the level of damage. The updated rates under the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024 are given below:
| Type of Damage | Compensation Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Pucca house totally damaged | ₹1,50,000 |
| Kutcha house totally damaged | ₹1,30,000 |
| Pucca or kutcha house partially damaged | ₹20,000 |
| Boundary wall of pucca house or partial damage | ₹15,000 |
| Hut damaged or destroyed | ₹8,000 |
For loss of human life in human-wildlife conflict, the ex-gratia amount has been raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh. Critical injury is compensated at ₹1 lakh, ordinary injury at ₹15,000 to ₹16,000, partial disablement at ₹1 lakh, and total disablement at ₹3 lakh.
Eligibility
To get compensation under this framework, the applicant should meet these conditions:
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttarakhand.
- The house, hut, or boundary wall must have been damaged by a wild elephant or bear attack in or near a forest area.
- The incident must be reported to the local forest range office within two days of the damage.
Application Process
If a wild elephant damages the house, the affected family should follow the process given below:
STEP 1 - Report the incident in writing to the nearest forest range office within two days of the damage. The written report should mention the date, place, and type of damage caused by the elephant.
STEP 2 - A Forest Inspector or Deputy Forest Range Officer visits the property and verifies the damage on the spot.
STEP 3 - The Naib Tehsildar and the concerned Range Officer carry out a joint assessment of the loss and prepare the damage report.
STEP 4 - The Assistant Conservator of Forests or Wildlife Warden prepares the final investigation report and sends it to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) or Deputy Director within one month.
STEP 5 - The DFO or Deputy Director approves the claim and the compensation is transferred directly to the applicant's bank account.
If a wild elephant is sighted near the house, the toll-free number 1800-890-9715 can be used to inform the forest department immediately.
Documents
Keep these documents ready when filing the claim:
- Valid identity proof of the applicant.
- Written damage report or FIR copy, if available.
- Official damage assessment report prepared by forest officials.
- Bank account details for direct fund transfer.
- Any other supporting documents asked by the Forest Department.
References
Compensation hiked for loss of life in human-wildlife conflict - Garhwal Post
FAQ's
Who is eligible to apply?
Any permanent resident of Uttarakhand whose house, hut, or boundary wall is damaged by a wild elephant or bear in or near a forest area can apply for compensation.
What is the compensation for a totally damaged pucca house?
Under the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules 2024, a totally damaged pucca house is compensated at ₹1,50,000 and a totally damaged kutcha house at ₹1,30,000.
What is the compensation for a partially damaged house?
Partial damage to a pucca or kutcha house is compensated at ₹20,000, while damage to the boundary wall of a pucca house is compensated at ₹15,000.
How should I report the damage?
The incident should be reported in writing to the local forest range office within two days of the damage.
Who verifies the claim?
A Forest Inspector or Deputy Forest Range Officer verifies the damage, followed by a joint assessment by the Naib Tehsildar and the Range Officer.
Who approves the final payment?
The Divisional Forest Officer or Deputy Director reviews the final investigation report and approves the compensation amount.
How long does the investigation take?
The Forest Department is expected to complete the final investigation report and send it within one month of the incident.