Taskforce Coordinator Om Chhetri: Farmers Should Not Bear Sole Burden of Wildlife Conservation
Summary
Om Chhetri has called for an end to the burden of wildlife conservation falling solely on farmers, saying coexistence must balance livelihoods, rights and scientific wildlife management. He said the state should prioritize solutions for crop damage, stress and displacement caused by human-wildlife conflict.
Key Points
- Om Chhetri said farmers should not have to bear the full cost of wildlife conservation in the name of coexistence.
- He urged that coexistence between humans and wildlife be defined scientifically and practically, with farmers’ rights and livelihood security at the center.
- Chhetri said wildlife is causing crop losses, added labor, mental stress, income risk and even forcing some families to leave their homes.
- The taskforce is collecting suggestions and will finalize its report with policy guidance from the parliamentary committee.
