Human-Wildlife conflicts claim 32 lives, 269 injuries in two years: Govt

Srinagar, Mar 08: Human-wildlife conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir have claimed 32 lives and left 269 people injured over the past two years, with concerns intensifying over the rising fatalities and the adequacy of the government’s response. According to official data presented in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, 16 people lost their lives each in 2023-24 and 2024-25, while the number of injuries stood at 124 in 2023-24 and 145 in 2024-25.
In a bid to alleviate the financial strain on victims’ families, the government announced compensation disbursements totalling ₹121.02 lakh in 2023-24 and ₹155.08 lakh in 2024-25. These payments are made in accordance with a government order issued on June 28, 2023, which lays out the compensation procedures for individuals affected by wildlife attacks.
Raising concerns in the assembly, Mir Saifullah, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, questioned the alarming rise in fatalities and injuries. He called for a detailed report on the growing number of human-wildlife conflicts and urged the government to expedite the compensation process, particularly for families who have lost loved ones or sustained serious injuries.
The data reveals that the northern regions of Jammu and Kashmir have borne the brunt of these conflicts, with the North Division recording 2,873 cases and 8 fatalities in 2023-24. Districts like Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora have been identified as particularly vulnerable. The South Division, especially in districts like Anantnag and Kulgam, has also seen a significant uptick in incidents.
From 2022 to 2024, thousands of cases of human-animal encounters have been reported across the valley, underscoring the growing threats to both human lives and property. While the government has made efforts to provide compensation, the wildlife department continues to face challenges such as staff shortages and outdated equipment, which have hampered its ability to respond effectively to such emergencies.
With fatalities and injuries on the rise, stakeholders have called for more comprehensive measures, including better-equipped response teams and enhanced awareness programs to prevent future tragedies.