The killing of a 59-year-old man identified as Ghulam Mohiudin Malik by a black bear at a Handwara village has once again highlighted the growing incidents of man-animal conflict in the Valley, more so, in parts of North Kashmir. Within a span of 24 hours, three separate incidents have occurred, raising alarm within the local community and prompting calls for swift action by the Wildlife Department.This incident closely followed the unfortunate demise of a young child and the grave injury of a woman due to earlier wild animal attacks in the same area.
As the incidents of wild animal encounters become more frequent, it is important for authorities to not only capture and relocate the roaming animals but also to implement measures that reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring in the future. Balancing the needs of wildlife and the safety of human populations remains a delicate task that requires planning.
True, the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department has been trying its best to secure local population from animal attacks. In May, the department captured a Himalayan brown bear in Handwara. The bear’s behavior had become increasingly weird, raiding graveyards possibly in search of human carcasses and venturing into residential areas, which posed threat to lives and livestock. Similar encounters have been reported in other villages in the district. To protect the graveyards, villagers for a while took to taking turns to stand guard, but the situation remained challenging.
The unusual behavior of the bears has bewn attributed to insufficient food in their natural habitat. Last year, a study conducted by Wildlife SOS, an Indian wildlife conservation organization, revealed that a staggering 75 percent of the Himalayan brown bear’s diet in Kashmir consisted of scavenged garbage, including harmful items such as plastic carry bags, milk powder, chocolate wrappers, and biryani.
The Himalayan brown bear, the largest animal in the Kashmir region, typically feeds on insects, plant roots, and small animals in their native habitat. However, the intrusion of human settlements into their territory has forced them to venture into lower altitudes in search of sustenance. As settlements expand, the bears’ interactions with humans have increased, leading to dangerous encounters and conflicts.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as the global population of Himalayan brown bears is estimated to be less than 1,000, with half of that number residing in India. These bears are already classified as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List. A study predicts a substantial decline of up to 73 percent in their habitat by 2050, making preemptive habitat protection imperative for their survival. This is where the Wild Life Department needs to pay its role and step up to the public expectations.
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