U’khand: 26 forest landscapes prone to human wildlife conflicts to be restored Shivani Azad, Times of India July 16, 2024 Uttarakhand, which records at least 50 deaths annually due to human-wildlife conflicts, is set to enhance its 26 forest landscapes where such conflicts have been more frequent over the past decade. These selected forest landscapes are large contiguous patches, ranging from around 1,000-1,500ha, including reserved and protected forests. Among large animals, tigers and elephants in the Terai and foothills, along with leopards and bears in the hills, have caused the highest number of human deaths in recent years. “The Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) initiative, under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in and around these landscapes. It targets both forest protection and wildlife habitat enhancement,” said GS Pandey, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and CEO of CAMPA, Uttarakhand. He added, “FLR’s key components include managing invasive species, restoring grasslands, creating water bodies, conserving soil moisture, and promoting natural regeneration, along with other community-centric initiatives to reduce conflicts.” In the first six months this year, human-wildlife conflicts have claimed at least 20 human lives in the state. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-to-restore-26-forest-landscapes-prone-to-human-wildlife-conflicts/articleshow/111767348.cms