TARIQ RASOOL

Bandipore, June 20: People in several villages of this north Kashmir district are living under constant threat due to frequent bear attacks on humans, livestock and orchards from the past few months.

In Quil Muqam, Barzulla, Panzigam, Arin, Panar, Aragam and Arin Sumlar, the bears have wreaked havoc causing extensive damages to the crops and orchards. 

“Three days ago a bear attacked and critically wounded Ghulam Nabi Sheikh of Barzulla when he was coming out of Masjid. Three children on way to school were attacked and wounded by a bear at Aragam,” the residents told Greater Kashmir adding the wild animals had also killed 20 sheep of Sarmad Sher Gojeri of Aragam on the intervening night of June 8 and 9.

“The people of Aragam, Arin and Malangam do not venture out of their homes after the sunset,” the residents said adding the parents were reluctant to send their wards to the educational institutions located at Sumlar, Dardpora, Panar, Aragam and Chittibandi fearing bear attacks. They said the bears also damaged orchards and crops at various places.

The residents accused the wildlife department of failing to tackle the issue. “Every time we inform the wildlife officers about the roaming of bears, they turn deaf ears to our plea and never turn up,” said Hilal Ahmed of Aragam
The experts attribute the intrusion of wild animals in the residential areas due to shrinking of their natural habitat.

“The leopards make frequent forays into villages mostly in the areas where the forest had been destroyed,” the wildlife experts say
Wildlife warden, Rouf Ahmed Zargar said the department had dispatched a team to check the movement of bears. “We have rushed a fully armored team to catch the animals,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST