Don’t make noise while spotting wild animal, don’t roam in vulnerable areas: Wildlife Deptt
SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Human-animal conflicts are once again on the rise in the Kashmir Valley. Two minors were killed recently in leopard attacks in Budgam district. Citizens, especially children and women, are deeply concerned by the increasing attacks.
On April 3, five persons, including two women and three Wildlife Department officials, were injured in a leopard attack in Fatehpura of Ganderbal district.
Officials said that by the time the leopard was captured alive-after some hours-it had inflicted injuries on those who crossed its path.
In view of the increased incidents of man animal conflict, the Wildlife Department has issued an advisory, asking people to follow it to prevent any loss of life. The department has appealed to the people to follow the preventive measures which include the dos and dont’s issued by the department.
The Wildlife Department has also asked the people, particularly women and children ,who are most vulnerable to leopard and bear attacks, to stop moving into the forest alone .
It said the movement towards the forests during the evening and morning hours should be restrict as “it is a peak activity time of wild animals, particularly leopards. Don’t go near or chase the wild animals if sighted from a distance”. The advisory said the live stock in the pastures inside forests should be attended to by at least three to four people. “Any type of bell or sound producing device should be put around the neck of a few cattle,” it said. The advisory called for avoiding dumping kitchen waste near houses and building concrete ‘leopard-proof’ cattle sheds. Dumping kitchen waste invites dogs which in turn invites leopards,” it said.
The Wild Life Department has asked the people living in the vicinity of forests to complete outside activities during day time only. The bushes and shrubs near the vicinity of the houses should be removed. “Such vegetation clearance will increase the visibility and help the leopard keep away from the houses”, the advisory added.
The advisory said the people should construct “leopard proof “cattle shed using wooden material or concrete structures. “A pet dog in the house can also alarm the presence of predators in the vicinity of the house,” it said.
The Wildlife Department suggested people not to make noises on spotting a leopard. “As such the wild animal feel insecure and can cause damage”, it said.
The Wildlife Department also issued contacts of control rooms established to tackle man-animal conflicts.