Government submits plan to Centre on stray wild animals

Government submits plan to Centre on stray wild animals

Jammu, Jan 22: Replying calling attention notice of Ali Muhammad Sagar and Muhammad Yaseen Shah, Minister for Forests and Environment Qazi Muhammad Afzal stated in Legislative Assembly Monday that to deal with the problem of straying of wild animals into habitations on long term basis, a comprehensive proposal for strengthening the department in terms of mobility, communication, equipment, trapping/translocation facilities, rescue centers, training, compensation package, honorarium to eco-development communities and awareness raising has been prepared and submitted to Government of India.
There have been certain cases where black bears have surfaced in the outskirts of Srinagar along Zabarwan hills (like Brain, Nishat, Dara of Sonwar constituency) and in Ganderbal outskirts from October to December. Besides, there have been other instances where wild animals like black bear and leopard have surfaced in rural habitations adjoining the forests in Kashmir as well as in Jammu regions. There have been some deaths and injuries also in the rural areas due to attacks by wild animals like black bear and leopard.
In Sonwar constituency, two deaths and eight injuries have been caused due to such attacks in 2006.
The reasons for increase in the cases of attacks by wild animals like black bear and leopard are shrinking habitats for the wild animals, spread of human settlements, decimation of forest cover, decrease in population of herbivores (prey base) in the forest areas in case of leopard, and increase in Horticulture plantations particularly apple and walnut in areas adjacent to forests in case of black bear. Also due to complete ban on hunting and fur trade in the State since 1997, these wild animals have been afforded better protection than in the past. Though no census of leopard or black bear has been conducted, their frequent sightings and the incidents of man-animal conflicts indicate that their population might be on the increase.
The department of Wildlife Protection makes whatever efforts are possible within its resources to tackle the situations that arise when wild animals are surfaced in habitations. In most cases, animals are flushed out and offered safe passage back to the forest. The Department also makes efforts to tranquilize or trap the animal when it is required or feasible to do so. In a situation when the wild animal turns to be a man-eater, permission for its elimination is also given.
Besides the above, the department conducts awareness drive through radio, TV, newspapers and handouts to educate local people about certain do’s and don’ts to prevent man-animal conflicts. The people are also educated about necessary precautionary measures for safety to be followed in such situations. It is noteworthy that the Department of Wildlife Protection does not have its presence through out the state. Its presence is usually in protected areas viz. Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks and Conservation Reserves. To deal with situations of man-animal conflicts in all areas, whether declared to be protected areas or not, coordination between Forest (Territorial), Wildlife Department, Forest Protection Force, District Administration and police is being strengthened.
In case of causalities resulting from man-animal conflicts, the department provides compensation to the victims.