GUWAHATI: Assam government will increase ex-gratia for human fatalities due to wildlife conflict from ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh, while compensation for crop damage will rise from ₹7,500 to ₹8,000 per bigha.
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This was announced by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog in her budget speech in the assembly on Monday, March 10.
Besides, Kaziranga National Park will see an upgrade, with old safari Gypsies being replaced by newer, preferably electric, vehicles. The Tourism Department will introduce a bank-assisted financing model to facilitate this transition, with a budget allocation of ₹20 crore.
Neog announced a series of initiatives that aim to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the state, with a focus on protecting both people and animals. A key highlight of the budget is the launch of the Gaja Mitra scheme in the five most conflict-prone districts—Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, and Sonitpur. The scheme aims to enrich elephant habitats, deploy AI-based camera traps for real-time alerts, and advance paddy procurement in frequently affected areas. Special Gaja Mitra teams will also be formed to assist in these efforts.
The state also aims to promote the commercial production of Napier grass, a fast-growing fodder that acts as a natural barrier against elephant crop raids. This effort also supports Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) production. A leading industrial house has expressed interest in exploring economic opportunities under this initiative.
Further measures include the installation of scientifically designed canopy bridges with safety nets to protect primates such as Hollock Gibbons and Golden Langurs. Power infrastructure in wildlife movement zones will be secured by insulating overhead transmission lines and safeguarding open transformers.
