NALSA Launches Access to Justice for Victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict and SPRUHA Scheme for Dependents of Prisoners at Kerala Conference

Here’s what you need to know about the two major schemes NALSA launched: NALSA Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025 and NALSA SPRUHA (Supporting Potential and Resilience of the Unseen, Held-back and Affected) Scheme, 2025. This article explains how these schemes work, who can benefit, how to apply and which digital tools and local offices will help you get services.

Landmark Schemes Launched by NALSA in 2025

At the Southern Regional Conference on “Human–Wildlife Conflict & Co-existence: Legal and Policy Perspectives” held at the Kerala Legislative Assembly Hall on 30 August 2025, NALSA and KeLSA announced two major schemes with complementary digital justice initiatives. Judges, forest and disaster officials, legal services authorities and community representatives discussed solutions for rising conflicts and practical access to justice.

NALSA Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025 — What it Does

This is the first framework to help you when people, livestock or property are harmed in encounters with wild animals. Core services include free legal help, awareness campaigns on safety and prevention, help to file claims and access compensation processes, and support that balances victims’ needs with wildlife conservation objectives.

Incidents covered: crop and livestock loss, injury or death of persons, property damage, repeated incursions near habitations, and community-level threats where human safety or livelihoods are at risk. The scheme also offers guidance on coexistence measures and links victims to conservation and forest department advisories.

Who Can Benefit from the HWC Scheme: Eligibility and Priority Groups

• Direct victims and affected families of human–wildlife incidents.
• Tribal communities and other traditional forest-dependent groups.
• Frontline workers (forest staff, wildlife rescue teams, disaster responders) injured on duty.
• At risk and marginalised groups (women-headed households, elderly, persons with disabilities) given priority for fast-track assistance and psycho-social care.

Immediate Steps and Community Safety After an HWC Incident

If you or someone near you is affected by an HWC incident, first prioritise safety: move to a secure location, call local forest or police control rooms and get medical help for injuries. Preserve evidence: take photos of damage, note GPS coordinates or clear location details, collect eyewitness contacts and keep medical reports.

Do not touch an animal or carcass. If a rescue is needed, wait for authorised forest staff. For claim purposes, note date/time, cause and any immediate measures taken. Community leaders should quickly inform the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) so legal help teams can respond.

Key Support Services under the HWC Scheme

• Legal representation: Free counsel to file compensation claims and represent you before Permanent Lok Adalats or courts when required.
• Awareness drives: Local sessions on prevention, safe behaviour and habitat-friendly farming techniques.
• Claims and compensation support: Help to prepare documents, file forms and track applications.
• Psycho-social support: Immediate counselling via Samanvaya Healing Centres and referrals for ongoing mental health care.
• Conservation guidance: Advice from forest officials and links to state mitigation measures like fencing, early-warning systems or alternative livelihood help.

NALSA SPRUHA Scheme, 2025 — Supporting Dependents of Incarcerated Persons

NALSA SPRUHA (Supporting Potential and Resilience of the Unseen, Held-back and Affected) Scheme, 2025 aims to reduce the social and economic impact on dependents of prisoners and victims of crime. Services include legal help for entitlements, counselling, skill training, livelihood support and reintegration pathways to make sure dependents regain stability and dignity.

Also Read – Gau Samridhi Bima Yojana Kerala – Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process

Eligibility, Benefits and Priority Assistance under SPRUHA

• Eligible: spouses, children and dependent parents of incarcerated persons; victims of crime who face social or economic exclusion.
• Benefits: legal help for benefits and appeals, free counselling, connections to skill-training programs, help to start micro-enterprises or access welfare schemes, and short-term financial support where eligible.
• Priority: households with single earners, women-headed families, minors, persons with disability and communities where the state has limited reach.

Livelihood, Counselling and Reintegration Pathways under SPRUHA

SPRUHA funds local partnerships for skill training, placement drives and micro-enterprise incubation. You can expect vocational courses, help to get small loans or grants, and links with state employment agencies. Counselling is available via Samanvaya Centres, with follow-up plans that include school support for children and social reintegration for families.

Digital Tools and Local Infrastructure to Access Services

Several digital facilities were announced to make access easier for you:

• Compendium on Human–Wildlife Conflict: A searchable digital repository of court rulings, advisories, government schemes and best methods for quick legal and policy reference.
• E-filing and video-conferencing for Permanent Lok Adalats: Helps speed up compensation claims and hearings without long travel.
• Samanvaya Healing Centres: Counselling hubs set up in all 14 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) of Kerala for immediate psycho-social help.
• Dedicated DLSA websites: Each DLSA will host forms, contact details and grievance redressal steps; you can approach these online or offline.

For official updates and digital access, visit NALSA: https://nalsa.gov.in.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide for HWC Scheme Applications

Applying is straightforward whether you prefer online or face-to-face help. Follow these steps to start a claim or request legal help:

1. Report immediately: call your nearest forest range office or police station and get an incident reference or First Information Report (FIR) where appropriate.
2. Contact your District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or visit the DLSA website to register for legal help and compensation support.
3. Collect evidence and documents (see checklist below) and submit either online through your DLSA/NALSA portal or hand them in at the DLSA office.
4. If needed, request video-conferencing or an e-hearing through Permanent Lok Adalat facilities so you do not have to travel.
5. Keep copies of all submissions and note the complaint/registration number for follow-up.

Documents and Evidence Needed for HWC and SPRUHA Applications

Gather these documents to avoid delays:

• Proof of identity (Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card).
• Proof of residence (village certificate, utility bill or Aadhaar address).
• Medical reports and hospital bills for injuries.
• Photographs of damage, GPS location or maps showing site of incident.
• Livestock loss documents (disease or death certificates from vet, purchase receipts if available).
• Property loss valuations or repair estimates.
• Affidavits or eyewitness statements to support your claim.
• Proof of relation and dependency for SPRUHA applicants (birth certificate, marriage certificate, school records).

How to Apply for SPRUHA: Offline and Online Channels

To register for SPRUHA:

1. Visit your DLSA office and ask for SPRUHA registration; an officer will note your details and open a case.
2. If you have internet access, visit the DLSA website for your district (links will be available via nalsa.gov.in) and complete the SPRUHA form with scanned documents.
3. Where digital access is limited, local volunteers or legal help clinics can help submit forms on your behalf.
4. After registration, you will be assigned a case worker or a lawyer who provides legal help and a Samanvaya contact for counselling support.

Timelines, Follow-up and What to Expect After You Apply

Timelines change by case type. Registration for legal help and counselling are usually available within days. Compensation claims move through fact-finding and assessment stages; many may be resolved by Permanent Lok Adalats faster because of e-hearing tools. Expect regular follow-ups from DLSA case workers; keep your contact details updated and escalate delays to the State Legal Services Authority if needed.

Compensation, Rehabilitation and Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

Compensation claims are assessed with help from forest officials, veterinary reports and local revenue officers. Rehabilitation options include temporary housing support, livelihood allowances and links to state welfare schemes. For unresolved matters, you can approach Permanent Lok Adalats, then state legal services authorities, and finally NALSA for policy-level intervention.

Local Resources, Helplines and Where to Get Immediate Help

Quick entry points to get help:

• Your nearest District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) office — primary contact for legal help and SPRUHA registration.
• Samanvaya Healing Centres in all 14 Kerala DLSAs for counselling and emergency support.
• Local forest range/control room and police station for incident reporting and rapid response.
• Visit NALSA for official forms, DLSA links and digital resources including the HWC Compendium.

Item	Details
Launch date	30 August 2025 (Southern Regional Conference, Kerala Legislative Assembly Hall)
Schemes	NALSA HWC Scheme 2025; NALSA SPRUHA Scheme 2025
DLSAs with Samanvaya centres	14 (Kerala)
Official website	https://nalsa.gov.in

How Communities Can Engage: Participation, Prevention and Policy Feedback

You can join or form village-level committees that work with forest officials, DLSA and local NGOs to plan mitigation, early-warning networks and habitat protection. Give feedback through DLSA public hearings and online portals so NALSA and state authorities can shape schemes to local needs.

Frequently Asked Questions for Victims of HWC and Dependents Seeking SPRUHA Support

Who pays for legal help?

Legal services under both schemes are free; NALSA supports counsel and allied services through DLSAs.

How fast can I get counselling?

Samanvaya Centres provide immediate counselling; follow-up sessions are arranged within days.

Can I use e-hearing if I cannot travel?

Yes. Permanent Lok Adalats now support e-filing and video-conferencing to reduce travel burdens.

What if my DLSA is slow?

Escalate to the State Legal Services Authority or visit NALSA for complaint mechanisms.

If you or your community are affected by human–wildlife conflict or you care for dependents of incarcerated family members, these two major schemes give you practical pathways for legal, social and economic help. Reach out to your DLSA, use the digital tools announced today, and hold local authorities accountable so justice gets to you quickly and human–wildlife coexistence improves for all.