Man-animal conflict on rise in Valley
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 27: There has been a surge in the cases of man-animal conflict during last few months in the Valley with experts claiming a dearth of food in the natural habitat pushing animals into human settlements.
The residents have been mostly spotting the bear and leopards in the residential colonies that have come up close to the forest in cities and towns across the Valley. However, frequent incidents of leopards entering residential areas this summer have caused a great deal of fear among the residents. The incidents of leopards attacking pets, poultry and sheep are reported now and then.
Experts believe encroachment on the fringes of forests land and change in crop pattern has increased the man-animal conflict in the Valley.
The Wildlife officials said easy availability of food is pushing these animals into the human habitations. “When we compare the availability of food in forests and human habitation the latter has better availability of food. Besides, the dog population has become a major prey base for the leopards,” Wildlife Warden Srinagar, Altaf Husain, told Excelsior.
He added that exact population estimation of leopards is need of the hour. “We need a proper or quick study to evaluate and assess the population of leopards. It appears the conflict is growing and there is a good population of leopards here,” he said, adding that they rescued three-leopards in last week in Khrew area.
An official who has been working in the Dachigam park that is considered the natural habitat of leopard said the scarcity of food is forcing these animals to move into the residential areas and department should take steps to ensure availability of food. “Like winters in the department should keep the food at different places in the sanctuary to discourage leopards from moving out of it,” he said adding that by doing so the animals can be stopped from moving into a residential area near the park.
As per the official data out of 1658 incidents of man-animal conflict that the Valley witnessed in last 11 months, 1050 were successfully tackled and provided safe passage to nearby forests. Similarly, in around 300 cases since April last year, 150 animals were trapped in cages and nets inside residential areas while around 53 animals were killed in mob retaliation.
However, the employees who made these operations successful have not been paid salaries since March this year. “Despite having meager salaries we never receive it on time. From rescues to stopping forest fires and guarding the forest we do everything, but our services are never considered,” Maqbool Ahmad, an employee said, adding that they have given prime of their life to the department, but they have not been regularized.
Acknowledging the importance of casual workers, an official said, they provide them significant support as there is a dearth of staff in the department. “We have a vast area to guard and there is a dearth of trained staff. The casual laborers play a significant role in dealing with the conflict cases,” he added.
He said there is a dire need for experts in the department as the Government has not filled the vacant posts for years. “In the year in 1991, we had 171 employees in one division and now we have 69 in the same division,” he said.
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