Keralam govt. doubles compensation for crop damage in wild animal attacks

The State government has doubled the compensation rates provided for crop loss in wild animal attacks in Keralam.

A new order issued by the Forest department has also done away with the existing maximum ceiling limits on compensation payouts as well as restrictions on the number of claims farmers can submit to avail themselves of the benefit.

According to official sources, the move follows a comprehensive review of the compensation frameworks laid down in 2015 and 2018. Besides, the data evaluated over the last decade apparently led to an inference that the existing rates were substantially low, prompting the Chief Wildlife Warden to formally recommend hike in compensation.

In addition to enhancing relief for standing crop damage, the government has extended the compensation coverage to stored agricultural produce. Under the revised norms, farmers will receive ₹15 per coconut and ₹30 per kg of cocoa damaged or destroyed in wildlife raids, subject to physical inspection and verification.

In order to facilitate timely assessment and disbursement of relief, the affected farmers must report incidents to the department within a window of at least 72 hours and no later than two weeks from the occurrence, the order states.

It added that the formal applications for compensation must be submitted through the prescribed procedures within six months of sustaining the damage.