Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a high-level meeting with Forest department officials on Monday to address the recent surge in incidents of human-wildlife conflict in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. He directed the forest minister and officials concerned to take decisive action to prevent and monitor such incidents.   The chief minister also asked the Forest department officials to analyse the causes behind the increase in such conflicts to curb them effectively.   Following the chief ministers directives, several district magistrates swiftly mobilised teams, initiating combing operations in affected areas and launching public awareness campaigns in villages.   Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the recent reports of attacks by wolves in various state districts. He emphasised the urgent need to control such incidents by taking effective steps to capture the wolves.   The chief minister directed the administration, police, Forest department, local panchayats and revenue officials in the affected districts to launch extensive public awareness campaigns and educate people on safety precautions.   Following the meeting, the forest minister and officials concerned promptly took action. The forest minister ordered the immediate deployment of additional Forest department personnel in Bahraich, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bijnor and other affected districts, along with increased joint patrolling.   Senior officials were instructed to camp in these districts, coordinate with public representatives and arrange for Petromax lamps in rural areas facing lighting issues.   It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh is the first state to declare human-wildlife conflict as a disaster, ensuring comprehensive support to families affected by wild animal attacks or untimely deaths.   The district magistrates of Bahraich, Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri, Monica Rani, Abhishek Anand and Durga Shakti Nagpal, respectively, are at the helm of districts grappling with human-wildlife conflict. They have issued crucial directives to the police, Forest department, local panchayats, and Revenue departments, underscoring the urgency of the situation.   These guidelines, while emphasising the role of forest personnel in daily patrolling and awareness meetings, also stress the importance of villagers in managing the conflict. Villagers are advised to work in groups when going to their fields, making noise to scare off wild animals, thereby actively participating in their own safety.

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