Bhubaneswar, Jun 9: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a hike in ex-gratia compensation for victims of wild animal attacks, increasing the amount from Rs 6 lakh toRs10 lakh for the loss of life.

In addition to the enhanced compensation for the loss of life due to attack by wild animals, the State government introduced housing assistance under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, providing either pucca houses or equivalent amount of financial aid for those whose residences are damaged by wildlife attacks, said the CMO.

The government will provide Rs 3,000 as compensation for any damage to a person’s kitchen, granary and pen due to the animal attacks.

Similarly, the State government will also provide compensation of Rs 5,000 per metre if there is damage to a person’s concrete boundary wall due to animal attacks. However, the total compensation in this regard for a household will not exceed Rs 25,000, the CMO added. 

The decision comes amid growing concerns over human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in forest-adjacent areas.