Sopore: As Kashmir valley is reporting a rise in the man-animal conflict incidents, the Jammu and Kashmir’s Wildlife Protection department on Friday issued an advisory to tackle the situation including lighting up lights around the house and prevailing silence when an animal is spotted.
In an advisory, issued by Wildlife Warden North Division Sopore, officials advised people not to move alone in the forest area.
The advisory reads that children and woman are more vulnerable to leopard and bear attacks, which can be contained if they move in groups or children are accompanied by an elderly person and always tread on regular forest paths and avoid short cuts.
“For collection of wood, avoid going to forests in early morning or evening hours, which is the peak activity time for Leopards. Do not chase or try to go near to a wild animal if sighted from a distance in the forest areas.”
It reads that livestock taken to pastures inside forests and near crop fields must be attended by three to four persons and any type of bell or sound producing device be put around the neck of few cattle.
It added that people living in vicinity of forests should also complete their outside activities such as social visits, fetching water from streams, grazing cattle, collection of house hold items etc. during the day time only.
“Provide sufficient light around your utilities outside your home so that animals do not feel safe in the vicinity. Do not create kitchen dumping around your houses as this invites stray dogs to the spot which in turn invite leopard movement. As dogs is delicacy for these carnivores,” it added.
The advisory further reads that the villagers must regularly remove all bushes or shrubs from the vicinity of houses in cooperative manner. “Such vegetation clearance wall increase visibility and help to keep the Leopard away from their houses.”
It added that it has been observed that whenever leopard is sighted, people make a lot of noise which can prove dangerous and as such the wild animal feels insecure and can cause damage.
“It is advisable not to make noise, while leopard is sighted.”
It is pertinent to mention that Kashmir has been reporting many man-animal conflict from the past few years. Recently, the Himalayan black bear which is usually found in upper belts of the mountains, was seen roaming around the rajbagh area of Srinagar city along with his cub. He also injured a person.
The Himalayan Post has excusively reported on the issue and why is it happening.
KNO)