Dehradun, Jan. 7 -- Expressing serious concern over the rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the state, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday directed officials to immediately complete hotspot mapping of sensitive districts, blocks and villages and take more effective steps to reduce such conflicts. Chairing the 22nd meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board at the Secretariat, the chief minister said protecting human life and property, along with wildlife conservation, remains the government's top priority. He instructed the forest department and district administration to ensure a joint and coordinated monitoring mechanism in areas prone to conflict involving bears, leopards, tigers and elephants. Dhami directed that regular patrolling, digital surveillance and early warning systems must remain fully operational in vulnerable areas. He also instructed officials to mandatorily install solar fencing, bio-fencing, honey bee fencing, watchtowers and other protective measures in affected villages. Awareness camps should be organised to sensitise residents about safety and vigilance, he said. Stressing the importance of wildlife corridors, the chief minister said conservation of all corridors, including elephant and tiger corridors, should be accorded top priority. He directed officials to strengthen the system for constructing animal passes, underpasses and overpasses along wildlife movement routes. Dhami also asked departments to review existing wildlife conservation rules and provisions and submit proposals for amendments, if required, at the earliest. The CM further directed that district-level Wildlife Coordination Committees, chaired by district magistrates, should be kept active. He instructed officials to strengthen safety arrangements around schools, anganwadis, water sources and pedestrian routes. Emphasising solid waste management, Dhami said strict implementation in rural areas is essential to prevent bears and other wild animals from being attracted to human settlements. He also directed that veterinarians be deployed in territorial forest divisions to respond promptly to wildlife emergencies and conflict situations....