: : HPFD - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department

Wildlife-Human Interface

The State has a long history of sustainable co-existence with its wildlife resources. People have, over the years, found use of more than 600 local plants for their health care needs and for obtaining food, fruit, fibre, fodder, fuel, gums, oil, resin etc. from these. These plants contribute substantially to the rural livelihoods. The State Government, in appreciation of these intimate rural livelihood linkages, has allowed the local communities the use of these usufructs from all forests except those that are reserved under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and those that are constituted as National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Dwindling populations of wild animals have increased since imposition of total ban on hunting since 1984. The extensification of agriculture coupled with increased human interference in hitherto undisturbed areas has led to greater human-animal conflict. Whereas, Wild Boar, Black Bear and Monkeys are reported to sometimes cause damage to standing crops, instances of lifting of domestic animals by leopards are also reported. Stray cases of injuries to and loss of human life by leopard and black bear have been reported.

The wildlife managers are in the process of formulating a long-term policy to deal effectively with the increasing human-wild animal conflicts. The State Government, concerned about these conflicts, extends monetary compensation in cases of loss of domestic animals and injuries to or loss of human life due to wild animals.