Farooq Tantary CNI

Man-animal conflicts have claimed 32 lives and left 269 people injured across Jammu and Kashmir in the last two years, the government revealed on Saturday.

In response to a query by MLA Mir Saifullah, the administration stated that Rs 2.76 crore has been disbursed as compensation to victims and their families during this period.

According to the Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, 16 fatalities occurred in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, while the number of injuries stood at 124 and 145, respectively.

Refuting claims of non-payment to the victims and their families, the Minister clarified that compensation was provided under government order No. 139 JK (FST) of 2023, issued on June 28, 2023. He further noted that Rs 1.21 crore was distributed in 2023-24, while the amount rose to Rs 1.55 crore in 2024-25.

Authorities have urged residents in wildlife-prone areas to remain cautious, assuring that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents.