Two persons have sustained serious wounds in village Dadsara of Tral in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per sources, a wild bear attacked two persons in village Dadsara and both got serious wounds .
The injured individuals were shifted to SDH Tral, while one identified as Gh Nabi son of Gh Mohd has been referred to Srinagar for further treatment.
Unplanned urbanisation, rising dog population and the surge in the local intrusion into the wildlife habitat has forced the wild animals especially leopards and bears to enter into residential areas of Kashmir. The frequent entry of wild animals in the residential areas of the valley has resulted in an increase in the human-animal conflict besides leaving huge challenges for the wildlife department to deal with.
Figures reveal that from 2006 to March 2024, 264 individuals have fallen prey to the man-animal conflicts, with hundreds getting injured. “The toll is staggering. As 14 deaths and 65 injuries were recorded in 2022-23, 16 deaths and 182 injuries were reported from 2023 to March 2024 alone,” an official from the wildlife department said.
Experts believe that the encroachment of wildlife habitats by humans has led to an increase in such incidents.
Rao Farman Ali, a researcher, said that the areas once exclusively inhabited by wild animals are now being encroached upon by human populations, resulting in attacks on humans. “The unplanned urbanization and governmental negligence in implementing proper procedures to protect wildlife and forests are contributing factors,” he said.
He said that deforestation over the decades has significantly impacted wildlife, whereas in ancient times, people used to coexist with animals with fewer incidents.
Divisional Commissioner, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, has called for a well-coordinated strategy to tackle attacks by wild animals, particularly leopards and bears, across the valley. He emphasized the need for a centralized helpline to receive timely information for a swift response. Bidhuri has directed the Wildlife Department to strengthen the capacity of its staff, enhance logistics and operate Control Rooms at the district level, a Srinagar based news agency reported.
Also Read: Human-Wildlife Conflict: 264 Lives Lost In 17 Yrs In Kashmir
