Srinagar, Oct 18: In recent years, the alarming increase in human-animal conflicts has emerged as a significant concern, posing a grave threat not only to human lives but also to the delicate balance of wildlife. According to statistical data from concerned departments, these incidents have evolved into a pressing challenge for the wildlife authorities. Tragically, these conflicts have led to the loss of human lives and have resulted in the killing of numerous wild animals in retaliation.
Environmental activist and founder of the Environmental Policy Group, Advocate Nadeem Qadri, points to the root cause of this upsurge as the encroachment of human populations into forested areas and buffer zones that exist between wildlife habitats and human settlements. He emphasises the importance of understanding the psychology of wild animals, stating, “We often resort to the common statement that increasing deforestation and encroachment of the forest areas has instigated human-animal conflict, however we lack the basic understanding of the psychology of wild animals.” Qadri goes on to explain that wild animals don’t have the capacity to differentiate between humans and other animals; their actions are often a result of territorial instincts rather than animosity towards humans.
Data from the Department of Wildlife paints a grim picture, with 44 leopards losing their lives between 2011 and 2022. Furthermore, seven leopards were killed with official approval during this period. Other casualties include nine leopard cubs, four leopard cats, 141 black bears, 12 bear cubs, and seven brown bears. The impact on humans is equally distressing, with animal attacks leaving 2,918 individuals injured and causing 244 fatalities between 2006 and 2022. In 2022 alone, over 30 human-animal encounters were reported in north Kashmir, resulting in 10 fatalities, including five minors.
Advocate Nadeem Qadri insists on the need to establish buffer zones between human settlements and animal habitats. He underscores the importance of community engagement and awareness, especially among tribal communities who often lack access to modern communication tools. Qadri stresses, “Creating awareness among the people, in the schools near forests is the key initiative. We need to reach out to places near wildlife and forests.”
Experts echo these sentiments, emphasizing the crucial role of community-based conservation in mitigating human-animal conflicts. Project assistant with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Sameer Khizer, emphasises the necessity of working closely with local communities living in and around forest areas. Khizer believes that solutions need to be culturally and ethically feasible, and that communities must be empowered to deal with such situations. He emphasizes that protection alone is insufficient, and that communities must become the guardians of their surrounding wildlife.
These experts decry the lack of resources and equipment within the wildlife department, highlighting the urgency of addressing this pressing issue. They assert that the path forward lies in community involvement, cultural feasibility, and a holistic approach to wildlife conservation.
The experts stress that the slogan “Save the animal, save the community” must be implemented to safeguard both human lives and the sensitive wildlife that coexist in these delicate ecosystems.
