SRINAGAR, Nov 24: An inquiry has been ordered into an attempt by an angry mob to set a bear on fire in southern Kashmir.
A video posted online showed a bear climbing atop a walnut tree in Mohammadpora village in Kulgam district as one of the men in the crowd tied a burning cloth to a pole and tried to torch the animal.
“We’ve ordered an inquiry – a senior government official will hold the inquiry,” forest minister, Mian Altaf told India’s NDTV network.
The bear eventually climbed down from the tree and managed to escape but its fate was unknown, Altaf said.
Also Read: Kashmir bear escapes ‘burning’ death
The attack was reported just two days before India’s environment ministry was due to host a global conference on bear conservation in New Delhi.
Vivek Menon, executive director of the Wildlife Trust of India, blamed the the incident on the increasing incursion by humans into bears’ natural habitats in Kashmir and in other parts of the country.
“There has been a great land use change in Kashmir. People are living closer and closer to the forests and therefore coming into contact with bears – and both people and bears are suffering,” he said.
According to medical officials, a large number of hospital beds in Kashmir are occupied by people suffering from wounds inflicted by bears, Mr Menon said.
“That is spreading fear and panic among people and resulting in absurd retaliatory measures,” he said.
(AFP)
