Bhubaneswar, December 2: As many as 1,369 people and 5,609 animals were killed in man-animal conflict in last 10 years in the State. This was informed Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia in the Assembly on Tuesday in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

In a written reply in the House, the Minister said a total of Rs 6,174.68 lakh compensation have been provided to the affected families in 47 forest divisions across the State.

Highest compensation amount of Rs 1014.20 lakh has been provided to the affected families in Dhenkanal forest division followed by Rs 561.24 lakh in Similiapl (North) division, Rs 541.60 in Keonjhar division and Rs 517.20 in Angul division in the State in the last 10 years from 2015-16 to 2024-25, the Minister further informed the House in response to a query of Akhila Chandra Naik.

To minimise human-wildlife conflict, the Minister said, “Our department is undertaking special measures such as protection and improvement of wildlife habitats, planting of fodder trees, development of grazing grounds, creation of artificial water bodies, prevention of forest fires, anti-poaching camps, bird protection camps, patrolling in forests, monitoring the movement of wildlife and poachers using technical knowledge and skills, deployment of anti-depredation/anti-poaching squads, public awareness activities.”

The Minister further assured the House that every possible measure will be taken by his department to ensure that animals do not enter the human habitats thereby endangering the human lives.