Suhail Khan
Srinagar, July 13 (KINS): Perturbed over the incidents of the man-animal conflict, the Wild Life Department has asked people to strictly follow an already issued advisory.
As per the data available with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), there have been over 20 incidents of man-animal conflict since April 1 where people have sustained serious injuries across Kashmir.
“The number of man-animal conflicts is high. But we get reports only when any person receives serious injuries or causes him death,” an official of the Wildlife Department said.
Chief Wildlife Warden Kashmir Rashid Naqash said there has been no surge in man-animal conflict in the valley. “People should follow our already issued advisory strictly to avoid such incidents,” he told KINS.
An official said the Wildlife Department provides Rs 3 lakh to those who get killed by wild animals.
Similarly, for those who receive grievous injury is provided Rs 1 lakh, he said.
He said others are provided compensation as per recommendations of medical experts based on the injuries.
The bear-human conflicts have contributed to the land use change around forests, habitat loss, degradation of habitats due to heavy livestock grazing and non-timber forest products (NTFP) collection, disturbance and fragmentation of habitats. In some areas, kitchen waste of security force camps also attract black bears.
The already issued advisory said people should not leave leftover which attract wild animals
“Do not chase or try to go near a wild animal if sighted from a distance. Children and women are vulnerable to leopards. Bear attacks, which can be contained if they move in groups or children are accompanied by an elderly person,” it says.
People living along the forest areas have been asked not to move alone in the orchards and in other fields.(KINS)
