Introduction
The Maharashtra government has paid a massive compensation of Rs 441.16 crore over the last decade to victims of crop loss and cattle deaths caused by man-animal conflicts. This financial assistance was revealed through data provided by the Forest Department in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application. The statistics highlight a rising trend in such conflicts, necessitating stronger measures to mitigate human-wildlife clashes.
Compensation Details and Data Breakdown
According to the data, Maharashtra has recorded 6,00,307 complaints of crop loss and 33,600 cattle deaths due to man-animal conflicts over the last ten years. The government allocated Rs 441.16 crore in compensation, with the highest amount of Rs 82.88 crore disbursed in 2024-25 alone. The year 2023-24 witnessed the highest number of crop loss cases, with 2.11 lakh reported incidents. Similarly, cattle deaths peaked in 2023-24, with 7,114 reported cases.
Yearly Breakdown:
2024-25: 4,609 cattle deaths, 96,479 crop loss cases, Rs 82.88 crore compensation
2023-24: 7,114 cattle deaths, 2,11,443 crop loss cases, Rs 48.21 crore compensation
2022-23: 3,853 cattle deaths, 41,893 crop loss cases, Rs 41.38 crore compensation
2021-22: 2,768 cattle deaths, 37,644 crop loss cases, Rs 28.89 crore compensation
2020-21: 3,273 cattle deaths, 35,093 crop loss cases, Rs 28.56 crore compensation
2019-20: 2,849 cattle deaths, 43,621 crop loss cases, Rs 31.49 crore compensation
2018-19: 2,722 cattle deaths, 41,461 crop loss cases, Rs 27.13 crore compensation
2017-18: 2,471 cattle deaths, 38,272 crop loss cases, Rs 22.46 crore compensation
2016-17: 2,140 cattle deaths, 24,254 crop loss cases, Rs 13.88 crore compensation
2015-16: 1,801 cattle deaths, 30,147 crop loss cases, Rs 16.28 crore compensation
Causes of Man-Animal Conflicts in Maharashtra
The increase in man-animal conflicts has been largely attributed to habitat loss and the growing tiger population. According to the latest census, Maharashtra’s tiger population has increased by 444, making it the fourth-highest in the country. This growth has led to more frequent encounters between humans and wild animals, particularly in the Vidarbha region, which has been severely affected by these incidents.
Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, and Nagpur districts have reported the highest number of cases, accounting for 90% of all such conflicts in the state. These encounters often involve tigers and leopards attacking livestock, damaging crops, and even causing human casualties. In the past two years, over 15 people have lost their lives in man-animal conflicts across various forested areas in Nagpur district.
Government Measures and Future Challenges
To tackle the rising cases of wildlife conflicts, the Forest Department has taken steps such as relocating problematic tigers to areas with lower tiger density. Last year, three tigers were shifted from Brahmapuri to the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve in Gondia district to reduce conflict incidents.
Despite these efforts, the problem persists, leading to significant financial losses for the state. Increased human encroachment into forest areas, coupled with expanding tiger populations, continues to fuel these encounters. Experts believe that stricter wildlife management policies, enhanced compensation schemes, and sustainable cohabitation strategies are required to address the crisis effectively.
Conclusion
Maharashtra’s man-animal conflict has led to significant financial and ecological challenges, with the government disbursing Rs 441.16 crore in compensation over the past decade. While relocation strategies and conservation efforts aim to reduce these incidents, the increasing interaction between humans and wildlife remains a pressing issue. Sustainable solutions and better resource management will be essential in preventing future losses and ensuring the safety of both humans and wildlife in the region.
