Assam reduces compensation deadline for human-elephant conflict deaths to 48 hours
Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah also announced plans to increase the number of Gajmitra teams to prevent conflict across the state.
The Assam government has shortened the time allowed to pay compensation to families of those killed in human-elephant conflicts from 72 hours to 48 hours, according to The Assam Tribune.
Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced the change during a meeting at Aranya Bhawan on Tuesday. He stated that Rs 6 lakh for loss of life will now be released within two days, while crop damage compensation of Rs 8,000 per bigha will be paid within three to four days.
District Commissioners have been given authority to disburse these funds following joint assessments by the Forest Department and district administration. Mallabaruah added that dedicated central accounts have been set up in all 35 districts to speed up the process.
The minister also said the state plans to expand the number of Gajmitra teams from 81 to at least 150. Each 13-member unit will consist of 10 local residents and three Forest Department personnel who will focus solely on conflict prevention, particularly between November and March.
Each Gajmitra member will receive Rs 1,000 per month. The expanded teams are expected to start operations on November 7 or 8 after completing training and awareness programmes.
Data shows 53 people have been killed in human-elephant conflict incidents this year. Tamulpur, Goalpara, and Kamrup (Rural) are among the districts most affected by these incidents.