Srinagar, Apr 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department has issued a comprehensive advisory to the public, aiming to prevent loss of life and mitigate the increasing incidents of man-animal conflicts in the Valley.
As human settlements continue to encroach upon natural habitats, encounters between people and wild animals have become more frequent, prompting the need for preventive measures.
The advisory outlines a set of dos and don’ts, urging people to exercise caution and take proactive steps to minimize the risk of confrontations with wildlife, particularly leopards and bears. Among the key recommendations, the department strongly advises against venturing into forests alone, especially for women and children, who are considered most vulnerable to attacks.
Furthermore, the advisory emphasizes the importance of restricting movement during evening and morning hours, as these are peak activity times for wild animals like leopards. It also advises against approaching or chasing wild animals if spotted from a distance.
For those involved in livestock rearing within forest pastures, the department recommends that at least three to four people accompany the herd and suggests attaching bells or sound-producing devices to some cattle to alert wildlife to their presence.
To discourage the presence of wild animals near human settlements, the advisory calls for the removal of kitchen waste and vegetation near houses, as these can attract dogs and, subsequently, leopards. Additionally, it recommends constructing “leopard-proof” cattle sheds using sturdy materials like wood or concrete.
Recognizing the potential benefits of domesticated animals, the advisory suggests keeping pet dogs, as their barking can serve as an early warning system for the presence of predators in the vicinity.
In the event of encountering a leopard, the department advises against making loud noises, as such actions may prompt defensive behavior from the wild animal, potentially escalating the situation.
The advisory also provides contact information for control rooms established specifically to address man-animal conflicts, enabling prompt response and intervention when needed.
As the Valley witnesses a surge in such incidents, with recent tragic cases like the leopard attacks in Budgam that claimed the lives of two minors, the Wildlife Department’s advisory serves as a crucial step towards promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife while prioritizing public safety.