Srinagar, Aug 01: Concerned residents in Srinagar have reached out to the Wildlife Department seeking immediate intervention as a wild bear and her cub have been spotted roaming near the popular Shankaracharya Temple. The presence of the wild animals has raised safety concerns for locals and tourists who frequently visit the area for trekking and religious purposes.
Zubair Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, shared a harrowing experience he had with his friends while trekking near the Shankaracharya mountain. “As we were descending the mountain, we suddenly spotted a wild female bear and her cub at a distance. We immediately crossed beneath a wire, resulting in injuries, but luckily, we narrowly escaped,” he recounted.
Expressing worry about potential tragedies, Zubair urged the authorities to take precautionary measures. He suggested closing the trail on the mountain to prevent people from entering the area and potentially encountering the wild animals. Additionally, he emphasized the need for restricting movement around the temple to ensure the safety of both visitors and wildlife.
Wildlife sightings, including wild bears, have become increasingly common in urban and suburban areas across the region. The Wildlife Department regularly receives reports of wild animals venturing into residential spaces.
Altaf Hussain, the Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) of Central Division (Srinagar), clarified that the mountain near the Shankaracharya Temple is a designated forest area. As such, tranquilizing wild animals in their natural habitat is considered unethical. However, he assured that the Wildlife Department would still take steps to address the situation and prevent any potential untoward incidents.
Hussain urged the public to promptly report any sightings of wild animals in human habitation areas to the Wildlife Department to ensure the safety of both locals and the animals themselves.
