Human-wildlife conflict

Several persons were injured in leopard attacks in Ganderbal and Shopian districts a few days back. Earlier, a child was mauled to death in a similar attack in central Kashmir; later the man eater leopard was shot dead. Such incidents are on rise after the onset of spring. This is a cause of concern.

It is being hoped that the incidents do not occur again and there is no loss of life or injuries to people. But for that all necessary measures have to be taken at the government and non- government levels. Since the movement of leopards has increased in some residential areas, the residents of the areas where the wild animal is spotted must take precautions.

The Wildlife Protection Department keeps on issuing advisory for this purpose. This advisory has to be followed. The officials of Wildlife Protection Department must be informed whenever a leopard is spotted. No attempt should be made to unnecessarily attack the animal.

The officials of the concerned department must follow the set procedures while trapping a wild animal. They should be properly equipped to deal with the situation. The injuries to residents or the staff of the department should be avoided.

Secondly, the understaffed department must be strengthened with the more man power. The increasing population of stray dogs also attract the leopards to residential areas. The problem of increasing dog population has to be addressed.

More importantly the wildlife should not be disturbed in their habitats. The increasing human intervention in their habitats is forcing the wild animals to move out towards the residential areas.

Construction of roads and structures in or around the habitats disturb the wild animals. Development is important but not at the cost of wildlife.

When the wild animals are disturbed in their habitats this leads to conflict. This conflict has to be avoided. For that all steps have to be taken at every level.