Palghar bull shark attack victim to get compensation

Taking note of a midday report highlighting the plight of 34yearold Hitesh Govari who lost his left leg after a close encounter with a bull shark in Palghar district the Maharashtra forest department has decided to compensate the survivor despite the fish not featuring on the government wildlife listThe Palghar Forest Department will soon submit a proposal for compensationAdditional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Wildlife West Dr V Clement Ben had personally taken note of this incident and had instructed authorities including the chief conservator of forest CCF Thane forest department territorial to look into the matter and see what could be done as per the lawShark attack survivor Hitesh Govari at his residence in Manor PicsRanjeet JadhavOn March 4 midday in the report lsquoBull shark not on govt wildlife list no relief for man who lost legrsquo revealed that despite Govarirsquos severe injuries Maharashtra compensation laws related to humanwildlife conflict do not cover incidents involving bull sharksGovari has been awaiting the acknowledgement of his case as an exceptional circumstance and he has appealed to the forest department to empathise and consider his case a special oneThe 34yearold with his tenyearold daughter Vaishnavi his mother and wife VaishaliGovari opened up to midday about his traumatic experience and struggle to receive compensation The sole breadwinner of the family Govari was concerned about the future of his two kids wife and an old motherMuchneeded assistanceAfter the story was published financial help started pouring in for Govari ldquoI am grateful to the generous people who came forward to help me with finances I have received close to Rs 170 lakh so far and with this amount I will be able to cover my familyrsquos monthly expenses as well as some part of the medical costs I will shortly submit all medical reports to forest department officials in Palghar and once again urge them to view my case as a special one and provide me with the compensation that is awarded to people permanently disabled due to humanwildlife conflictrdquoShark attack survivor Hitesh Govari at his residence in ManorDepartmentSpeakDeputy Conservator of Forest DCF Palghar Madhumitha S said ldquoWe will evaluate the shark bite occurrence in which Govari lost his left leg and became permanently disabled as a unique instance and a recommendation for compensation will be forwarded to the higher authorities shortly We recently received an application from the victim demanding compensation and we are awaiting some additional documentation before forwarding the proposalrdquoRs 170 lakhAid received by Govari from wellwishers