Bear attack leaves 4 injured in Kulgam

Kulgam, Aug 29: A human-animal conflict in the Nagam area of Damhal Hanjipora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday left four persons injured. The incident has once again ignited discussions about the pressing need for a dedicated Wildlife Control Room in the Damhal Hanjipora belt.
The victims, including two women, were attacked by a bear while they were tending to their work in an orchard in Nagam village. The injured have been identified as Muhammad Ramzan Malik, Muhammad Shafi Malik, Raja Begum – all residents of Nagam – and Hafeeza Banoo from Ahmadabad Reshipora, D H Pora.
Health officials confirmed that the condition of the injured persons is stable and that they are currently receiving treatment at the District Hospital, Kulgam.
The incident has reignited the demand for a Wildlife Control Room in Damhal Hanjipora. This need stems from the recognition that the existing single control room is not able to manage the comprehensive requirements of the entire district.
Rouf Zargar, the Wildlife Warden of the South Division, told Rising Kashmir that Kulgam district doesn’t have any designated wildlife protected area. He said that the current control room’s primary focus is to address human-animal conflicts.
Zargar added, “We have a proposal in place for the potential establishment of a control room in Damhal Hanjipora. This facility would not only be staffed by trained professionals capable of treating injured wild animals but also adept at rescuing them from areas of human habitation.”