Man-Animal conflict in J&K reaches alarming level
Yash Khajuria	10/2/2011 8:33:48 PM
JAMMU, Oct 2: While deaths in militancy related incidents have declined in Kashmir valley in recent years, now it the wild animals who have taken toll on the people in past three years. According to the data about 90 persons have been killed by the wild animals during 2006-09 period with 789 injured in the conflict in the state. Even the State Government today admitted in Legislative Council that increasing encroachments by humans of forest areas has led to greater attacks by bears and leopards. Government data says that Omar Abdullah led administration has submitted a project to the Ministry of Environment and Forests to give suitable funds under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat to deal with the menace, which has reached alarming situation. Data says that during past three years (2006-09), most of the 789 injured have received grievous injuries particularly in Kashmir valley were large portion of forest land has been encroached by the land mafia and expanding population. Other areas include the heavily militarized areas close to Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Showing his concern in the report, Minister for Forests Mian Altaf said that the department has brought latest equipment and trained manpower to deal with the situation, but till people themselves take initiative, it cannot be controlled. “We have brought necessary equipment to handle the conflict which includes, rescue vans, long range tranquilizing guns, long range tranquilizing pistols, automatic trap cages, search flush lights, nets, rescue helmets and special ladders”. Altaf said that a comprehensive management plan for handling man animal conflict for infrastructure strengthening on modern lines has already been submitted to the Government of India. “On the basis of advice of the ministry, provision for the purpose has been kept in annual plan 2010-11 under the centrally sponsored scheme titled Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat. The matter is being seriously pursued with the central government”, said Altaf. It is pertinent to mention here that at present the state government gives the ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to those killed by the wild animals while the inured are given assistance according to level of injuries they receive. YEAR WISE DATA Year's Casualties Injured 2006 20 154 2007 26 184 2008 21 206 2009 23 246 Total 90 749.