The Odisha government on Wednesday hiked the compensation amount for the victims of the human and wild animal conflict in the state.

The compensatory amount will be given under the government’s Anukampa scheme. The scheme aims at disbursing compassionate grant in lieu of loss sustained to life and property because of wildlife attacks.

In case of death due to the wildlife attack, the kin of the deceased is now entitled to get Rs 6 lakh as compensation instead of Rs 4 lakh earlier one used to get.

In case of permanent injury, if the victim suffers more than 60 per cent wounds, the person concerned would get Rs 2.5 lakh as compensation. If the injury is less than 60 per cent, the victim will receive financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh.

If the victim suffers temporary injuries, the government will provide free medical treatment at a government hospital. If the treatment mandates more than a week at the hospital, the victim is entitled to get Rs 10,0000 and if less than a week, he will get Rs 5000 as a compensatory amount.

Considering the people's demands that the ex-gratia amount for the loss of livestock due to animal attacks be increased, the state government has also increased the amount in this category.

As per the guidelines, the compensation amount for cows and buffalos is Rs 37,500 and Rs 32,000 for bullocks (as against Rs 5,000), Rs 5,000 for calves (as against Rs 2,500). Similarly, the compensation amount for the death of a goat and sheep is Rs 4,000 and Rs 1,500 for lambs.

Under the agriculture category, for the loss of cereal crops, the amount has been hiked from Rs 10,000 per acre to Rs 20,000. For the loss of commercial crop, a farmer is entitled to get Rs 25,000 per acre. If a house is permanently damaged, the victim is entitled to get Rs 10,000. If the house is permanently damaged due to the attack of the wild animals, the victim will get financial assistance under Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme along with an additional Rs 20,000 in cash.

In the tribal areas, the houses are damaged mostly by the elephants.

As per the government report, the rising human-animal conflict has resulted in 925 human casualties in Odisha in the last 10 years.