SRINAGAR: Black bears and leopards went on a rampage in different villages across Kashmir valley, attacking children and old women working in rice fields and orchards, police said on Tuesday.
Increasing fear of attacks from wild animals is forcing residents to abstain from work in orchards and vegetable fields in many areas, witnesses say.
A black bear attacked and killed 70-year-old Abdul Sattar Bhat in Gulmarg area of north Kashmir.
In another incident a 13-year-old girl, Kushboo, was killed by a leopard at Tangwari area of Kreeri.
Local residents said about a dozen leopards were roaming in Handwara villages posing threat to lives. They said they have been forced to accompany children to schools due to the fear of attacks from wild animals.
Leopard and Himalayan black bear populations have increased after a ban on hunting was enforced in Kashmir in 1970’s. Due to shrinking of their natural habitat, these animals are now wandering into villages and have killed nearly 200 people and maimed thousands since 2005.
Man-animal conflict has shown a drastic increase in the region after authorities erected a fence along Kashmir’s border with Pakistan designed to stop militant incursions.
The nine feet high fence along Line of Control, a military line which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, is curbing the movement of wild animals, experts say.
Authorities are now planning to set up control rooms and distribute leaflets urging people living near forests to take precautions to prevent more casualties.
Police say at least six bears and leopards have been killed by villagers and authorities in the last one year after attacking local people.
State’s Wildlife department has paid nearly five million rupees as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased persons and injured persons.
