On January 27, a leopard in Parigam village of Pulwama district was killed by the villagers when a group of at least three predators was seen in the village.
The villagers who were terrified of the last incident again witnessed another group of three leopards in the village.
Similarly, on April 2, a leopard was killed by villagers in Khud Hanjipora belts Kulgam district of Kashmir. The wild cat attacked the villagers and injured several of them. On the following day, a picture was making rounds on social media where three men were seen skinning the animal.
Reportedly the leopard attacked eight people after which it was killed and skinned by the villager as a sign of retaliation.
In another incident on April 28, seven people were injured by a leopard in Pohrupeth area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara. It is alleged that the leopard barged inside a house and attacked the inmates. The neighbors rescued the family members before the arrival of wildlife officials.
In a similar incident in Goripora Beerwah area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on May 25, Mohammad Ayoob Parray and Mohammad Shafi Bhat were spraying pesticides on apple trees when they came face to face with the leopard hiding in the orchard. They sustained injuries by the leopard’s attack and were shifted to a hospital.
The latest case of human-wildlife conflict was reported on November 6 from Ramban district where at least 40 sheep were killed by a wild animal in Kali Masta area of Gool. Reportedly, a group of leopards entered the house and killed sheep and goats.
The human-wildlife conflict is not a new phenomenon. People and wildlife have coexisted for a long time but the alarming situation is the intensity of the conflict which is more frequent and widespread. It has led to a major threat to the survival of humans and wildlife.
According to a study done by researchers from Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Medical College, the number of cases of death due to the conflict has increased in the time period between 2005-2016. In 2005-2006 Kashmir reported three deaths and 79 people were injured. However, in 2015-2016, 22 deaths were reported with 317 persons injured.
The study also concluded that out of a total of 1067 cases of wild animal injuries, 76% of the injuries were due to beer mauling, 6% were due to leopard attacks and the rest from red fox, monkey, and unknown animals.
The maximum human-wildlife conflict in the valley is because of the proximity of humans with leopard and bear. The carnivores have come down to human settlements in recent years and have attacked the inhabitants, particularly since the armed conflict in the valley in the 1990s.
Reasons for the conflict
 |
A study done by University of Kashmir found out that the fencing of Line of Control (LOC) has fragmented natural habitat resulting in the hindrance of wild animal movements across the line, consequently, they are heading towards human settlements adjoining areas.
While there are ample reasons behind the human-wildlife conflict, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic has only increased this conflict. With the lockdown implemented, many cities have seen more movement of wildlife towards human settlements.
“The human-wildlife conflict intensity was quite high during the lockdown,” said a wildlife official from Sopore on the condition of anonymity, adding, “we have to go to 3-4 places daily to resolve the issues.” Due to cherry bloom and strawberry, many bears were coming down to the farms, added the official.
Mohammad Shafi Bhat who works as a helper in the man-animal conflict control room Beerwah said that the number of cases of human-wildlife conflict has been increasing continuously.
“The pressure is the same as it was before but many leopards are coming down from higher altitudes in Budgam area,” said Suhail Yousuf Qazi, Range Officer from Hokersar Wetland Reserve.
Little corporation from people
While the wildlife officials work very hard to resolve the conflict most of them felt that there is a very little corporation from people when it comes to rescue operations.
“When the police come with us, the public tend to be disciplined otherwise, they keep on interfering in our work,” said the anonymous official cited above. He complained that instead of reporting the incident to wildlife officials or police, people call their relatives and friends when they spot wildlife, putting their life and other people’s life in danger.
The animals only come in search of food and shelter, said the official. They may lose their way sometimes and but they never intend to kill humans, the official continued.
“The government is helping even during these tough times but people need to understand the problem and cooperate with us.”
The work that could be completed in one hour takes around three hours due to less cooperation from people said Bashir Ahmed who works in the man-animal conflict control room Chadoora. He said, “When we tell people to stay behind, they don’t listen to us,” adding, “I am not afraid of the risk but with people's cooperation, we can do our task more efficiently.”
Qazi recalled an incident where a leopard was attacked by stones and rods by people. Instead of calling the police and wildlife officials, people started handling the situation by their own which is very wrong, said the Range Officer.
Dearth of staff
On being asked about the number of staff employed some of them felt that there is a dearth of staff when it comes to the wildlife department. “A place where 15 people are required only 2-3 people are working there,” said Qazi.
The staff in North Kashmir is very less, complained the anonymous official cited above. “We have so many policemen and army but when it comes to wildlife, we have meagre staff,” said the official, questioning, “Is there any priority for wildlife?”
Speaking about the causes of the human-wildlife conflict in Jammu & Kashmir most of the officials blame habitat fragmentation, change in agricultural practices, unplanned construction, overgrazing and conflict between security forces and militants.
Due to conflict between the army and security forces, many forests are devastated resulting in the destruction of animal habitat, said Qazi. Even setting up of camps by the army creates a disturbance in the habitat of the wildlife, continued the Range Officer.
How to prevent the conflict
For protection against the attack of wild animals, Bhat stressed that parents should refrain from sending their children in the evening. “Leopards come out at that time in search of prey and whenever villagers go to their field, they should talk in a high pitch to keep the leopard away from attacking,” he added.
People should stop throwing garbage in open, said the helper, as garbage attracts dogs which in turn attracts leopards.
To create awareness about human-wildlife conflict Ahmed and his team go to various places distributing posters that contains all the instructions to handle the conflict. “We also distribute crackers every year in highly sensitive areas,” added Ahmed.
When asked about poaching activities, the officials were certain that there was no incident of poaching in the valley.
The work involved is very risky but most of them enjoy their work. “How can we consider it dangerous when we enjoy what we do,” said Bhat.
Explaining the rescue process the helper explained that people are first rescued from the house, after that the animal is tranquillized and then it is released in the wild where the environmental conditions are favourable for it.
While the human-wildlife conflict is tended to increase in the coming years, people should start cooperating with the officials to help them in the rescue operations instead of taking the situation in their hands. Acting as a mere spectator while the trained people do their job would be beneficial for both parties.
PS: The report is dated- 3rd June 2020. I have updated some human-wildlife conflict incidents.
No comments:
Post a Comment