Over 250 lose life in man-animal conflict in U'khand

STAFF WRITER 17:29 HRS IST

Dehra Dun, Oct 8 (PTI) A total of 286 people have lost their lives in attacks by wild animals since the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000, state government officials said today.

189 were killed in leopard attacks only, they said here, adding 89 people were killed in last three years alone.

While 74 people lost their lives in attack by elephants, 12 others were killed by bears and two by wild boars.

The state forest department has so far paid Rs 4.42 crore as compensation for deaths of humans due to wild animals, they said.

Nearly 15 elephants and 44 leopards were also killed during the period.

Wildlife experts say the incidents of man-animal conflict are rising because of shrinking habitats for wild animals as more and more jungles are being felled for industrial and other purposes.