An employee in the wildlife department for the past 19 years, Bashir Ahmad Bhat has contributed immensely to the conservation of wildlife in the valley. Bashor’s dedication towards preserving the wildlife was recently recognised by the administrator as he was conferred upon a UT level award for this tremendous contribution towards wildlife conservation across the Budgam district. The award was presented to Bashir by Lt Governor Manoj sinha.
Bhat has rescued a number of wild animals in the Budgam district and tackled several incidents of human-animal conflict successfully. He is presently working as Block Officer Wildlife Control Budgam and
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad said that in the past four years, they have rescued more than 700 wild animals across the Budgam district.
“In recognition of my contribution towards wildlife conservation.,I have received a UT level award that was given away by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha. I am feeling very proud of myself and the wildlife department because we are doing great work not only for the welfare of people but also for the welfare of the wild animals,” Bhat said.
He said that due to the increase in human-versus-wild conflicts in the Budgam district, the responsibility of the wildlife employees has gone up manifold as while fulfilling their duties during the day and night as well. “Our team receives calls during the mid-night hours. As it is mandatory for us to reach the spot and rescue the wild animals from the different locations, we are also sending these wild animals to Dachigam National Park, where the wildlife department is taking further care of these wild animals,” Bashir said.
He said that It is the responsibility and duties of the wildlife department to reduce such incidents in the district, as they are vigilant and available 24×7 hours in the field.
“To decrease the man-animal conflict across the Budgam district, we are also conducting awareness programmes in villages, schools, and colleges and are also issuing pamphlets for people as part of the awareness programmes of the wildlife department,” Bhat said.
He said that from time to time, they issue advisories across the district, which the general public should follow. He said, “In case any wild animals are sighted, people should contact the wildlife department so that we can catch them alive without any loss of life or injury.”
“We are also receiving support from the police department and the Forest Protection Force department when we rescue leopards and bears at different locations. For the safety of the general public, we are also taking support from other departments as these wild animals can attack people while we rescue them,” Bhat added.
He said, “We have rescued various kinds of wild animals and birds, which include leopards, leopard cubs, bears, porcupines, snakes, jungle cats (kittens), Monkeys, owls, and the Peregrine falcon (eagle). All these wild animals have been shifted to Dachigam National Park after being rescued across the district. The leopards and leopard cubs have been rescued most in the various rescue operations across the district.”
He stressed upon that people should follow the advisories issued by wildlife should not disturb the wild animals, which are sighted in any part of the district. ” If we disturb the wild animals, it will be very harmful for humans, as they can attack . The wildlife department has the proper equipment and experience to rescue these wild animals in any location without causing any injury or loss of life. In the year 2021, two children were killed by the leopards. such incidents need to be minimised,” Bhat added.
The official figures of the wildlife department said that six people had been killed and 53 injured in human-wild conflict in the past nine years in Budgam district.
During the last three years, the department of wildlife has captured and rescued 622 wild animals alive and also installed 222 cages across the district to capture these wild animals alive.
