Srinagar, Dec 15: On December 5, a tragic incident in Shirhama village, Handwara, claimed the life of a two-year-old toddler who was mauled by a leopard. This marks the 15th fatality due to human-wildlife conflict in this area since 2019.
Kashmir Valley has witnessed a significant escalation in such incidents in recent years. From 2022 to 2024, the valley recorded 36 deaths related to human-wildlife conflict, alongside a staggering 10,303 reported incidents. These incidents have resulted in 261 injuries, underscoring the growing risks to public safety and livelihoods.
In 2022-2023, Kashmir saw 3,262 cases of human-wildlife conflict, leading to 15 fatalities and 99 injuries. The North Division, particularly hard-hit, recorded 1,606 cases, including 10 fatalities. The South Division, including areas like Shopian and the Wetlands, also faced significant challenges, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The situation worsened in 2023-2024, with 4,947 incidents reported across the region, resulting in 12 deaths and 83 injuries. Once again, the North Division bore the brunt, with 2,873 cases and eight fatalities. Though some areas in the South Division saw a slight decrease in injuries, Wetlands reported two deaths and one injury, reflecting the increasing risk to these ecologically sensitive zones.
As of December 2024, there have been 2,094 reported incidents, resulting in nine deaths and 79 injuries. The North Division remains the epicenter, with 587 cases, while the South Division follows with 545. The conflict-prone areas continue to be Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora in the North, and Anantnag and Kulgam in the South.
Despite the rising number of incidents, the government has yet to implement effective measures to mitigate the risks. The Wildlife Department’s failure to recruit enough staff has left local populations vulnerable to attacks year-round.
A senior official from the Wildlife Department, speaking anonymously, cited several reasons for the surge in human-wildlife conflict. These include the growing human population, habitat loss, and an increasing dog population, which attracts leopards. Leopards are now breeding closer to human settlements, further exacerbating the issue.
Earlier this month in North Kashmir, a wildlife official attempting to capture a bear with a stick was bitten and injured when the animal attacked. The intervention of local people and colleagues allowed the wildlife team to tranquillize the bear, but the incident highlighted the risks faced by personnel in such situations.
Similarly, in Shopian, a leopard tranquillised by wildlife officials caused injuries to four bystanders when onlookers treated the situation as a spectacle, throwing stones and making noise.
These incidents emphasize the need for better training and preparedness among wildlife department personnel. Another senior official pointed out the severe lack of state-of-the-art equipment and safety gear needed to manage such situations effectively.
“The staff capacity must be significantly increased,” said the official. “There is an urgent need to establish rapid response teams, composed of well-trained and properly equipped personnel, who can swiftly address any emerging threats.”
