The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), in collaboration with the Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) and the District Administration, Wokha, organised a one-day seminar on “Access to Justice for Victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)” at Likya Community Hall, Wokha, on May 30.
The seminar was organised to create awareness on legal rights, relief measures, compensation provisions, and access to justice for victims affected by incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the district.
Delivering the special address, Mhathung Tsanglao, NCS, Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, highlighted the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict in the district and stressed the need for awareness, preventive measures, and coordinated intervention.
He stated that Wokha has emerged as one of the most affected districts in Nagaland due to the increasing incidents of human-elephant conflict, with elephant presence reported in over 100 villages and nearly 60 villages identified as active conflict zones.
Tsanglao noted that such conflicts have caused severe destruction to paddy fields, areca nut plantations, rubber plantations, farmhouses, and other agricultural properties, resulting in significant livelihood losses for farmers. He also expressed concern over the loss of both human and elephant lives due to such encounters.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha district has recorded five human fatalities linked to human-elephant conflict since 2018, while around 15 elephant deaths have been reported across Nagaland.
He further pointed out that inadequate compensation, lack of effective preventive measures, and shrinking wildlife habitats have aggravated the issue, often resulting in direct confrontation between humans and wild animals.
Tsanglao observed that the closure of traditional elephant migratory corridors between Nagaland and Assam due to increasing human activities had displaced elephants into hill areas and upper ranges of the district, intensifying conflicts with human settlements.
He also acknowledged the establishment of a wildlife division functional since April 2026 covering Wokha, Mokokchung, and Zunheboto districts.
During the programme, the deputy commissioner also distributed relief assistance to victims affected by human-wildlife conflict.
A presentation on “Relief Measures in Cases of Human-Elephant Conflict with Special Reference to Wokha District” was delivered by L. Jonjibemo Odyuo, Assistant Manager (Relief, Recovery & Mitigation) and Nodal Officer for Wokha and Shamator under the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department as the resource person.
During his presentation, Odyuo explained that wild animal-related disasters were recognised as State Local Specific Disasters by the Nagaland government on May 26, 2017, alongside windstorm, soil erosion, and lightning, allowing relief assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He added that African Swine Fever (ASF) and other emerging diseases were later declared local specific disasters on November 24, 2025.
He clarified that disaster relief is not compensation but “minimal assistance of basic support” provided to affected persons to cope with damages and losses caused by natural disasters.
Explaining the relief procedure, Odyuo stated that reports are received through affected persons, administrative officers, or line department officials, followed by verification by competent authorities. Prescribed SDRF forms are issued and submitted with supporting documents, including geo-tagged photographs, Aadhaar card, bank account details, and authentication from competent authorities, before applications are uploaded to the NSDMIS portal for state-level scrutiny, approval, and disbursement through the Direct Benefit Transfer system.
He noted that relief assistance is provided based on the nature and extent of damages and follows SDRF norms revised periodically.
Presenting cumulative data on relief disbursement under wild animal-related disasters in Nagaland from 2018 to 2026, Odyuo informed that a total of 483 beneficiaries received relief amounting to Rs. 70,88,880 across 13 districts.
According to the data, Wokha district recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 256 and received Rs. 49,10,320 in relief assistance, followed by Mokokchung with 165 beneficiaries receiving Rs. 12,35,580. He pointed out that Wokha and Mokokchung together accounted for Rs. 61,45,900, constituting 86.79 per cent of the total relief disbursed in the state under wild animal-related disasters.
Providing district-specific figures for Wokha from 2018 to 2026, Odyuo stated that relief was distributed to 256 beneficiaries amounting to Rs. 19,10,320 under various categories, including ex-gratia for deceased persons (4 beneficiaries, Rs. 16,00,000), ex-gratia for injured persons (2 beneficiaries, Rs. 20,000), kutcha house damage (27 beneficiaries, Rs. 18,70,600), agricultural crop damage (106 beneficiaries, Rs. 6,01,620), plantation damage (16 beneficiaries, Rs. 91,800), horticulture crop damage (15 beneficiaries, Rs. 88,200), hut damage (32 beneficiaries, Rs. 2,00,300), and hut along with plantation or crop damage (54 beneficiaries, Rs. 4,37,800).
He also informed that 150 bags of rice relief were recently provided to Old and New Changsu villages.
Odyuo noted that wild animal-related disasters are not limited to human-elephant conflict alone but also include damages caused by wild boars and other wild animals affecting paddy fields, crops, plantations, and properties. However, he observed that human-elephant conflict-related relief cases are most prevalent in Wokha and Mokokchung districts.
He emphasised that while human-elephant conflict has been recognised as a notified state-specific local disaster for relief purposes, such measures are not long-term solutions, calling for improved coordination between the Disaster Management Authority, Wildlife Department, local authorities, and communities, along with stronger awareness programmes and mitigation strategies.
Member Secretary of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Neikho Akami, stated that the “Access to Justice for Victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict 2025” scheme has been introduced to provide legal assistance to victims affected by human-wildlife conflict under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
He explained that whenever incidents involving conflict between humans and wildlife occur, victims can seek legal support through the Legal Services Authority. Whether the conflict results in physical injury, loss of life, damage to property, or destruction of crops, assistance will be provided in documentation, filing claims, and pursuing compensation through the appropriate authorities.
Akami said that one of the key responsibilities of the Legal Services Authority is to ensure that grievances are properly recorded and brought to the attention of the competent authorities. He added that legal aid services are mandated to assist affected persons in accessing justice and securing their entitled benefits.
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Stating that this was the first seminar of its kind in the state, Akami noted that Wokha was chosen as the venue because the district records the highest incidence of human-elephant conflict in Nagaland. He informed that a dedicated team would be constituted to assist victims with documentation and other procedures related to human-wildlife conflict cases.
He further said that the initiative was launched with the objective of ensuring that no victim is left behind in accessing justice and support. Victims of human-wildlife conflict can approach the Wokha District Legal Services Authority for legal aid and assistance in filing compensation claims.
Speaking at the seminar, Resource person Wildlife Warden Dimapur, Dr C Zubeni Tsanglao, stated that a committee comprising various departments has been constituted to address the growing issue of human-elephant conflict (HEC), acknowledging that the challenge is complex and requires a coordinated approach. She said the committee aims to ensure timely assistance and justice for affected victims.
Highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation, Zubeni noted that Nagaland is part of a biodiversity hotspot and referred to Articles 48A and 51A of the Indian Constitution, which emphasise the responsibility of both the State and citizens towards environmental and wildlife protection. She said conservation is not an option but an obligation for all citizens.
She further explained that the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empower authorities to protect wildlife and guide the department’s actions, including during mediation processes. While Nagaland has community forests, she said the state faces significant challenges in coexisting with wildlife.
According to Zubeni, increasing human settlements and the establishment of new villages have encroached upon wildlife habitats and blocked traditional animal corridors that once served as natural passageways. She added that this is not a problem unique to Nagaland but one being faced across India.
Stressing the need for coexistence, she said that only through compassion and understanding can humans and wildlife live together peacefully. She assured that the department is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and pointed out that the Doyang Wildlife Division has been established to strengthen rapid response efforts, urging the public to report incidents for timely intervention.
Later, the programme witnessed an interactive question-and-answer session, during which victims of human-wildlife conflict and village council members raised concerns and expressed their grievances.
