UP to soon get 4 high-tech rescue centres to curb human-wildlife conflict

Lucknow, June 24 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department on Tuesday said the government is establishing four modern rescue centres in Meerut, Pilibhit, Maharajganj, and Chitrakoot to manage the increasing encounters between people and large carnivores, including tigers, leopards, and jackals.

These centres are strategically located, covering the regions of Western Uttar Pradesh, Terai, Awadh, and Bundelkhand, to safely house wild animals that stray into human settlements, it said in a statement.

This initiative aims to ensure both the protection of wildlife and the safety of people living near forest areas, it added.

Chief forest conservator Anuradha Vemuri said the rescue centres are being built in the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary (Meerut), Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharajganj), and Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary (Chitrakoot).

"The state government has sanctioned Rs 57.20 crore for the project, which is being executed by the Construction and Design Services (CNDS). Most of the construction is now complete, and operations will begin soon after staffing and equipment arrangements are finalised," Vemuri said.

"These rescue centres are equipped with modern facilities, including treatment units, quarantine zones, watch towers, accommodation blocks, and training halls. They are designed to provide rapid response, care, and rehabilitation for captured wild animals. Manpower and support will be provided by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), as human-wildlife conflict is categorised under disaster response," Vemuri added.

Highlighting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's past efforts in this direction, Vemuri emphasised that these rescue centres will serve as a milestone in minimising dangerous human-wildlife encounters and promoting harmonious co-existence between humans and wildlife. PTI KIS MNK MNK