1 hr ago
Uttarakhand Minister Details Forest, Health and Eco-Tourism Plans
Subodh Uniyal is a minister in Uttarakhand, a state with many forests and mountains.
He said the state is trying to reduce dangerous encounters between people and wild animals.
The government has raised compensation for people hurt or killed in these attacks.
It is also using cameras, drones, GPS systems, solar lights and village teams.
Uttarakhand currently has four rescue centres for animals that cannot safely return to the forest.
Uniyal said there are enough general medical officers in the hills, but specialist doctors are still harder to find.
The government is offering specialists more money to work there.
It is also developing eco-tourism sites, including the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh.
Uniyal denied that the BJP has decided to drop more than half of its sitting legislators in the 2027 election.
Subodh Uniyal said compensation for victims of wild-animal attacks rose from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh over five years.
The state is using surveillance, quick-reaction teams, village volunteers, solar fencing and GPS tracking to reduce man-animal conflicts.
Uttarakhand has four big-cat rescue centres and plans to establish one in every district.
Uniyal said medical officers are available in the hills, but specialist shortages remain and higher salaries are attracting doctors.
He said 62 eco-tourism destinations are planned, while Chaurasi Kutia renovation is over 40 per cent complete and expected after March 2027.
- Who
- Subodh Uniyal, Uttarakhand’s Forest and Health Minister, discussed state government initiatives and BJP election preparations.
- What
- The interview covered man-animal conflict, wildlife rescue centres, forest encroachments, hill healthcare, eco-tourism and 2027 Assembly election ticket reports.
- Where
- Uttarakhand, including the hill districts, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Almora and Uttarkashi.
- When
- The discussion concerned ongoing measures and preparations ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections; Chaurasi Kutia is expected to be ready after March 2027.
- Why
- The government says it is seeking to reduce wildlife conflicts, improve specialist healthcare, develop eco-tourism and prepare its organisation for the 2027 polls.
Reported Concerns
Minister’s Response
Man-animal conflict
Reported Concerns
The interviewer described the conflict as a long-running challenge with no lasting solution despite deaths among people and animals.
Minister’s Response
Uniyal said the government has expanded compensation and introduced surveillance, quick-reaction teams, village protection forces, fencing and other measures.
Hill doctor shortage
Reported Concerns
The question characterized Uttarakhand’s hill districts as facing a persistent shortage of doctors since the state was formed.
Minister’s Response
Uniyal said medical officers are now available in the hills, while specialist shortages are being addressed through higher remuneration.
BJP candidates for 2027
Reported Concerns
Reports claimed the BJP might deny tickets to more than half of its sitting MLAs because of anti-incumbency concerns.
Minister’s Response
Uniyal rejected the reports, saying no constituency-level appraisal or higher-level decision on the fate of sitting legislators had taken place.
Key facts
- Wildlife compensation
- Compensation for victims of wild-animal attacks increased from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh over the last five years.
- Rescue centres
- Uttarakhand has four rescue centres for big cats and other man-eating animals, located in Ranibagh, Dhela, Haridwar and Almora.
- Planned rescue expansion
- The Forest Department plans to establish one rescue centre in every district; the Union government has also decided on one at Corbett’s Pakhro Range.
- Medical staffing
- Uniyal said medical officers are no longer in short supply in the hills, but specialist doctors remain a challenge.
- Eco-tourism sites
- The state has identified 62 new eco-tourism destinations.
- Chaurasi Kutia
- More than 40 per cent of the renovation of the 14-acre site in Rajaji Tiger Reserve has been completed, with completion expected after March 2027.
- Projected employment
- The minister said Uttarakhand’s eco-tourism destinations could create two lakh employment opportunities.
Quotes
Subodh Uniyal
Uttarakhand Forest and Health Minister
“There is no dearth of medical officers in the hills now, but the deployment of specialist doctors is still an issue.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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