By Sarwar Kashani, IANS
Srinagar : Heavy snowfall and consequent shortage of food in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir have forced many a wild animal to stray into villages at lower altitudes, leading to violent confrontations with humans.
Two leopards and a jackal have died and nearly 35 people have been injured in the past week in such incidents in the Kashmir valley, triggering condemnation from animal rights activists and pointing to the apathy of wildlife authorities.
According to official sources, leopards, bears and their cubs, foxes and jackals have been seen roaming near human habitations in the Harpora and Kathuhalan areas of Shopian, Aharbal in Kulgam in south Kashmir and Tangmarg in north Kashmir.
“Man-animal conflicts are witnessing a sudden spurt as heavy snowfall in the valley’s forests are forcing wild animals down towards human habitations,” said Ali Mohammed Khan, an environmentalist here.
In the first week of February, it snowed for six days continuously in the upper reaches of the valley. Experts say the dens and caves where the animals take refuge have come under avalanches. Their food supply has also shrunk.
One leopard was killed in Devsar Qazigund in south Kashmir Saturday, as it reportedly attacked and injured six people there.
People in Qaziabad village of Handwara in north Kashmir killed a snow leopard Thursday when the animal barged into the village. Fear-stricken people said it had attacked and injured at least a dozen people.
A wild jackal was killed in a village close to the woods of Beerwah in the central Kashmir district of Badgam Thursday. People said the jackal had injured some 15 villagers in the past many days before it was beaten to death.
The animal deaths have evoked condemnation from animal rights campaigners who point out that the wild animals were only trying to survive in the bitter cold.
For the past several days panic has gripped the Poswani area of Pattan in Baramulla district as a porcupine was seen roaming in the area. The animal was caught Sunday in an injured state by people and handed over to police and then to the wildlife authorities.
According to people in the Uri sector close to the Pakistan border in north Kashmir, a snow leopard has been seen prowling in Bilalabad village. Panic-stricken people in the village are afraid to come out of their homes and wildlife authorities too have sounded an alarm.
“People have been advised to avoid coming out in the open after dark as the movement of wild animals in human habitations will not cease unless the snow melts in the upper forests and the animals are able to return to their actual homes,” said an official.
However, environmentalists are also blaming the department for its callousness.
“How can we wait for the snow to melt? They (officials) are doing nothing,” said Farooq Jan, an environmental expert.
He also blamed human encroachment in the woods for the incidents. “One should also remember that we Kashmiris have stretched our habitation close to forest areas, intruding into animal habitation,” he pointed out.
“Where will the poor animals go? See it objectively. They are actually delving into areas that once used to be theirs.”