Uttar Pradesh Government Moves to Recognize Bee, Jackal, and Fox Attacks as State-Notified Disasters for Relief and Compensation
In a stride towards expanding the scope of disaster relief measures, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the process of categorizing attacks by bees, jackals, and foxes as state-notified disasters.
The move comes in the wake of multiple recent incidents across different districts of the state, where individuals have been injured or killed due to such unexpected animal encounters, prompting public concern and administrative attention.
This proposal marks a noteworthy shift in the approach to disaster management and victim compensation in the state, which currently recognizes attacks by only seven wild animals — namely elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, and a few others — under the official list of state-notified disasters.
The inclusion of these new species is expected to bring more affected individuals and families within the protective umbrella of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
The proposal to expand the list was drafted by the Relief Commissioner’s Office and has received preliminary approval from a high-powered state executive committee headed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.
The approved recommendation has now been submitted to the state government for final ratification. Once formally notified, the changes will ensure that victims of attacks by bees, jackals, and foxes are entitled to the same relief benefits as those impacted by larger and more traditionally recognized wildlife threats.
Under the revised disaster relief framework, the family of any individual who dies as a result of such attacks will be eligible to receive an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh.
Additionally, individuals who sustain injuries from these incidents will be provided with medical treatment free of cost at government-run hospitals across the state.
A senior official from the Relief Commissioner’s Office explained, “The proposal was carefully deliberated and subsequently endorsed during a meeting of the State Executive Committee of the SDRF.
It has now been escalated to the state government for a final decision. Once it is officially included in the notified list, any loss of life or injury caused by these animal attacks will qualify for state compensation and relief under disaster management provisions.”
The urgency of this development is underscored by several troubling incidents that occurred in recent weeks. Among the most high-profile cases was a bee attack in the dense forested region of Deogarh, near the historic Buddhist caves.
In that incident, at least 11 people were stung and injured, including two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers who were visiting the area to assess progress on development projects. Eyewitness accounts reported that a sudden swarm of bees descended on the delegation, causing chaos
. Security personnel and accompanying staff attempted to shield the officers from harm but were themselves stung in the process.
In another tragic case reported from the Barabanki district, a person lost their life following an unexpected bee attack.
These recent episodes highlighted the vulnerability of both officials and civilians to unpredictable animal encounters in forested and semi-urban areas, leading to the reassessment of disaster preparedness and relief eligibility criteria.
The official further noted that a detailed report was compiled based on these incidents and presented to the executive committee.
The decision to categorize such attacks under the broader umbrella of “man-animal conflict,” which is one of the 11 types of disasters currently recognized by the state, was made following this assessment.
“With this proposed expansion, the number of animal species whose attacks qualify for compensation under the disaster relief guidelines will increase from seven to ten.
This move is intended to make the relief framework more inclusive and responsive to the evolving patterns of human-animal interactions,” the official stated.
The classification of attacks by smaller animals and insects like bees, jackals, and foxes as potential disasters reflects a growing recognition of the risks they pose, particularly in rural and forest-adjacent areas.
These animals, although not as large or typically feared as elephants or tigers, can still cause serious injury or even death under certain conditions, particularly when humans unknowingly enter their territory or provoke defensive behavior.
By expanding the list of notified animal attacks, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to provide more comprehensive support to citizens who suffer due to such incidents and to align its disaster management protocols with ground realities.
If approved, the policy change is expected to improve response times, ensure timely medical care, and offer financial aid to victims and their families, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safeguarding public welfare.
The final notification from the state government is awaited and is expected to be released in the coming days, after which the new rules will be officially implemented
