Talking to the Pioneer the State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr RBS Rawat said that tackling the human-wildlife conflict, striking the correct balance between development works and environment conservation through scientific means and ensuring public participation in different activities related to the forests are the top priorities for the State Forest Department. Prior to State formation, Uttarakhand was considered more of a tourist destination or known for the Char Dham shrines because most of the State Government and Forest Department officials at that time were not aware of the specific conditions existing in this mountainous region. The affectivity of the Forest Department has improved on the ground level and it has also been able to fulfill its role in facilitating State-specific policies since the formation of Uttarakhand.

According to The Forest Survey of India (FSI) report Uttarakhand ranks second among Indian States after Arunachal Pradesh in area under forest cover. However, the State still faces many challenges 10 years after its formation. Redressing the conflict between humans and wildlife, achieving the proper balance between environment conservation and development works and facilitating the desired level of public participation in forest related works are the top priorities of the department.

During the past 10 years the department facilitated more than 2,500 forest land transfers for various development works which is more than the forest land transfer cases facilitated in the past 20 years.

Operation Arundhati was also executed in the State during October this year to ensure the protection of wildlife, environment and to improve communication between the public and department. According to the PCCF, this operation proved to be an eye-opener for the Forest Department regarding aspects like wildlife poaching, human-wildlife conflict and public interest in relation with natural resources. Since formation of Uttarakhand the general public has also become more aware about concepts related to the environment and forestry. The department has improved the efficiency of the system of payment of compensation and increased the amount of compensation paid to those suffering damage from conflict situations with wildlife.

Observers state that there has been a substantial increase in pressure on the environment since State formation due to development works and increasing population. This in turn has caused a rise in the human-wildlife conflict which is among the major challenges in Uttarakhand. It remains to be seen whether the measures taken by the Forest Department are successful in tackling such problems.