Compensation scheme by Maharashtra forest dept a hit among fishermen

Since December 2018, a total of 264 cases have been received, of which 253 fishermen have been compensated for safely releasing the protected animals into the sea

The compensation scheme started by the state forest department and state fisheries department seems to be working in favour of the marine wildlife and fishermen community too. According to data since December 2018, a total of 264 cases have been received, of which 253 fishermen have been compensated for safely releasing the protected animals into the sea and total compensation of Rs 45 lakh has been paid.

It may be noted that the fishermen community has always played an important role in the conservation of marine biodiversity in Maharashtra. To promote sustainable fisheries and fishery conservation activities of fishermen, a compensation scheme was launched on 21st December 2018 by the forest department and fisheries department of Maharashtra.

Virendra Tiwari, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Mangroves Cell said, "Under the said scheme, applications from 38 fishermen of Palghar and Thane districts for compensation for cutting their fishing nets to release a marine animal species, which are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, were received by the Mangrove Cell. Last week, these cases were investigated by the cell and a compensatory amount of Rs 5,35,000 (Five lakh thirty-five thousand only) has been released to the fishermen."

Among the 38 cases, 26 Olive Ridley turtles, six whale sharks, two Guitar fishes, one Green Sea turtle, one Hawksbill turtle and one Finless Porpoise have been rescued and released by the fishermen. In the current financial year (2021-2022), a total of 86 cases from Palghar, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts were processed by the Mangrove Cell and Rs 11,52,500 (Eleven lakh fifty-two thousand five hundred) has been released to the fishermen.

As per the data, since December 2018, a total of 264 cases have been received, of which 253 fishermen have been compensated for safely releasing the protected animals into the sea and a total compensation amount of Rs 40,78,050 (Forty lakh seventy-eight thousand fifty) has been released to fishermen to date.

Leopard found dead at SGNP, fall suspected

In an unfortunate incident, on Wednesday evening, a leopard was found dead at about 100-150 meters from the boundary of compartment No. 112, Chena west beat, Chena Round, inside the Yeoor Range of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). According to forest department officials, the post-mortem was conducted at Wildlife Hospital, Borivli.

Post-mortem report suggested internal haemorrhage and subsequent hypovolemic shock as a probable cause of death

"Post-mortem findings were suggestive of blunt trauma (probably due to falling from a height) resulting in the rupture of the liver leading to internal haemorrhage and subsequent hypovolemic shock as a probable cause of death. The detailed report will be sent in due course. Further inquiry about this incident is in progress."

Sources from the forest department told mid-day that the leopard that was found dead in SGNP is named Aries and is originally from Aarey colony. The team of researchers who have been doing camera trapping exercises in Aarey colony have this individual leopard in their database.

Rs 45L
Total compensation paid to fishermen since 2018