In one year, 1650 cases of man-animal conflict in Kashmir, animal food deficit main cause

Srinagar: Non-availability of food in their original forest habitats, growing urbanisation and concretization, some human interventions into animal habitat, growing poultry and pets in rural homes were some of the main reasons of man-animal conflicts in Kashmir, according to wildlife experts

In contrast, Wildlife Department’s official data, which has not been independently verified, man-animal conflict has shown an overall downward trend over the past four years in Kashmir.

However, the official data reveals, the entry of wild animals like leopards and bears into the residential areas of Kashmir Valley has increased manifold.

Official data also suggests that in the past four years while damage to human life and property has declined but the number of bear and leopard spotting in human spaces has increased.

Regional WildLife Warden for Kashmir Rashid Naqash said that figures about last one year state that out of 1650 cases of such incidents reported from human areas,1050 cases were successfully resolved by offering safe corridors for conflict animals towards its natural habitat.

“Around 350 cases were reported where the department put cages and trapped problematic animals around 150 cases where animals were tranquilized and later rehabilitated in natural habitat,” Naqash said. “More than 50 animals were killed by mob in retaliation. This indicates that measures like setting up 22 control rooms working round the clock in different districts and tehsil levels have achieved a high degree of success”, he claimed.

Wild Life Warden Wetlands and the Man-Animal Conflict Expert, Ifshan Dewan told KNO that there are a series of reasons responsible for the entry of wild animals into human spaces in Kashmir.

“There has been a change in the behavior of wild animals especially leopards due to non-availability of food in their natural habitat. Easy availability of food, shelter in human spaces and fast urbanization are the primary reasons for the entry of wild animals into residential areas,” she said. Dewan said that throwing out waste food items like rice, poultry and other items is also attracting wild animals into human spaces. “One more reason behind why leopards are entering residential areas is people are keeping pets at their homes like rabbits, dogs, chicken etc which should be avoided.”

She also urged parents not to allow their children to go out of their homes in the early morning and late evening hours.

—(With KNO inputs)