TRAL October 24: In a major step towards supporting affected communities, MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Nayak disbursed ex-gratia relief among victims of human-wildlife interaction in the Tral area of Pulwama district today.
The relief was distributed during a Workshop-cum-Orientation Programme on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Wildlife Management, organized by the Shopian Wildlife Division.
Held under the theme “Promoting Coexistence Through Conservation, Capacity Building and Scientific Wildlife Management,” the event was attended by MLA Tral, Shri Rafiq Ahmad Naik, as the chief guest, alongside Wildlife Warden Shopian, Shri Sohail Ahmad Wagay, and other senior department officials.
Speaking to the gathering, MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik distributed ex-gratia relief cheques ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹2,00,000, issued through Jammu & Kashmir Bank, to the victims and their families. Prominent beneficiaries who received ₹25,000 each for human injuries included Nazir Ahmad Kallas, Mohd Yaseen Pashal, and Ruheena. The MLA commended the department for its prompt relief delivery, emphasizing that timely financial support significantly eases the hardships of affected families. He urged residents near forest boundaries to maintain caution, report wildlife sightings immediately, and asked the department to strengthen its rapid response units.
Wildlife Warden Shopian, Shri Sohail Ahmad Wagay, briefed the participants on the department’s ongoing efforts, including field rescues, staff training, and community awareness drives. He reiterated that ensuring sustainable coexistence between local communities and wildlife remains the department’s primary focus to secure both human lives and ecological conservation.
