Bandipora, Nov 12: The bears have wreaked havoc in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district with attacks on humans and livestock becoming order of the day.
 These wild animals are on prowl at Watapora, Putushai, Ajar, Aythmulla, Madar, Nathpora, Malangam, Arin, Kunan and the main town is also not safe as a bear recently attacked and wounded three persons.
 “We are continuously living under the threat of bear attacks who have injured hundreds of people in the past few months” Muhammad Ramzan of Quil Bandipora told Greater Kashmir.
 He said the people were hesitant to move out of homes and the children were reluctant to go to their educational institutions due to the fear of bear attacks.
 “The Wildlife department is acting as a mute spectator despite knowing that these bears were roaming freely in the villages,” he said.
 The residents said the wildlife department was “ill equipped and understaffed” to meet the increasing incidents of man-animal conflict in the district.
 On Thursday, bears attacked and wounded 11 persons at Putushai area 
 About 30 sheep were killed and 50 others were wounded when bears attacked them at Putushai on Friday, the locals said adding Abdul Majeed Parray was also injured in the attack.
 In another attack at Malangam on Friday bears injured Muhammad Zaman Khan Lone, 65, when he was going for afternoon prayers.
 On Thursday, the bears attacked and wounded 15 persons in the same area creating fear in the peoples mind.
 The bears, according to the residents of ward number 17 were attacking humans within the municipal limits of the districts,
 “Three bears appeared in our locality, damaged orchards and entered several houses. But authorities failed to do anything,” Reyaz Ahmed said.
 Wildlife Warden North, Rouf Zargar said “Due to disturbance in their natural habitat, bears are coming down to human habitations, which is of grave concern. These animals are provoked by the people due to which they attack.”
 “If people won’t interfere while our employees are catching these animals, the attacks won’t happen,” he said
 “During an operation at Malangam, Ongam, Aythmulla and Ajar, the people raised hue and cry, which hampered our work,” he said.
 Rouf said cages would be put in place where bear attacks were frequent.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST