Uttarakhand CM Orders Immediate Removal of Pauri DFO, Announces Escort Facility for School children in Wildlife-Affected Areas

In a high-level review meeting of the Forest Department held at the Secretariat today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami issued strict directions to curb rising human-wildlife conflict, particularly in hill districts, and announced several people-centric measures to ensure safety and swift relief.

Taking serious note of repeated incidents in Pauri Garhwal, the Chief Minister ordered the immediate removal of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Pauri, with effect from today, holding the officer accountable for failure to control the situation.

Key decisions announced by CM Dhami:

• Escort facility for schoolchildren: In areas frequently affected by wild animals (especially leopards and bears), the Forest Department and District Administration will jointly provide escort services to ensure safe drop-off and pick-up of schoolchildren from home to school and back.
• 30-minute rapid response: On receiving any information about human-wildlife conflict, the Forest Department team must reach the spot within 30 minutes. The concerned DFO and Range Officer will be personally responsible for compliance.
• Instant financial relief: Affected families will receive compensation and financial assistance without delay.
• Livelihood support policy: In case the sole breadwinner of a family is killed in a wildlife attack, the Forest Department must formulate and submit a special livelihood assistance policy within the next two weeks.
• Clearing of bushes near villages: A special drive will be launched to clear dense bushes and undergrowth around habitations to reduce cover for wild animals.
• Use of technology: Installation of cameras in sensitive corridors, continuous monitoring by forest staff, and adoption of new technologies to prevent animals from entering human settlements.
• Community awareness: Special focus on sensitising children and women about wildlife presence and safety protocols.

Emphasising zero tolerance towards negligence, CM Dhami said, “Our first priority is to protect human lives from wild animals. Permanent and effective solutions must be found so that wild animals do not enter populated areas. Forest personnel must maintain constant vigil and strengthen communication with villagers.”

The Chief Minister also directed immediate procurement of all required equipment for conflict mitigation across districts.

The meeting was attended by Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, Vinay Shankar Pandey, PCCF Ranjan Mishra, Additional Secretary Himanshu Khurana, and other senior officials.

With human-wildlife conflict emerging as a major challenge in the hill state — particularly after several leopard attacks on children in Tehri, Pauri, and Almora in recent months — today’s decisions are being seen as the strongest administrative intervention yet by the Dhami government to address public anguish and ensure accountability at every level.