Itanagar, March 11: The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday constituted a special committee to examine the issue of increasing human–wildlife conflicts in the state and recommend measures for wildlife protection.

Speaker Tesam Pongte announced that senior Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Wanglin Lowangdong will chair the panel. Members include Indian National Congress legislator Kumar Waii and BJP MLAs Dr. Mohesh Chai, Topin Ete, and Tsering Lhamu. The state’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests will serve as the member secretary. The committee has been given three months to submit its report.

The panel was formed following a Private Member’s resolution moved by Waii on March 6 seeking action on the issue.

During the discussion, Environment Minister Wangki Lowang said human–wildlife conflicts occur in areas where biodiversity-rich forests overlap with communities dependent on forest resources. He said infrastructure development can affect wildlife corridors and may lead animals to enter nearby villages. He also referred to factors such as shifting cultivation practices and changes in ecosystems, including declining prey availability.

Waii cited several recent incidents, including a tiger attack on February 2 that killed police head constable Chikseng Manpung near Mayudia in Lower Dibang Valley district, a wild elephant attack on February 21 that killed ASI Martin Lego near the Lohit riverbank in Lohit district, and an elephant attack in July last year that killed former MLA Kapchen Rajkumar near Deomali in Tirap district.

Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor informed the House that the committee had been constituted to examine the matter.