KATHMANDU, APR 30 - Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya has said the government is concerned over the rise in reported incidents of human-wildlife conflict and is committed to working towards mitigating them. Addressing a meeting of the Legislature-Parliament on Tuesday, Minister Acharya said that human activities such as encroachment of habitat have contributed to growing conflict between humans and wildlife across the country, particularly along protected areas and forestlands. “The conservation and management of biological corridors established for safe movement of wildlife is vital to minimise the risks of human-animal conflict,” he said. In order to control increasing threats from wild elephants entering human settlements in Kanchanpur and Jhapa districts, the government is constructing solar fences. Efforts are being made to provide adequate support and compensation for victims in affected areas including Chandani Dodhara in Kanchanpur. Acharya emphasised environmental issues that need government’s attention including deforestation and forest encroachment, Chure degradation due to illegal extraction of natural resources such as gravel, sand and boulders and river encroachment. “The government is committed to take stringent action against those involved in logging and encroachment of forests,” Acharya said. (Source : Ekantipur)