Wildlife Week: J&K Records 15,661 Human-Wildlife Conflict Cases in Two Years
Srinagar, Oct 2: KNT: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 15,661 human-wildlife conflict incidents during 2023–24 and 2024–25, resulting in 32 deaths and 350 injuries, according to figures placed before the J&K Legislative Assembly.
The government reported 9,301 incidents during 2023–24, in which 18 people were killed and 137 injured. The number of reported incidents fell to 6,360 in 2024–25, although the number of injuries increased to 213, while 14 people lost their lives.
Jammu district recorded the highest number of incidents in both years, with 1,444 cases in 2023–24 and 1,341 in 2024–25. Other districts reporting high numbers included Kupwara, Kishtwar, Baramulla, Ramban, Anantnag and Doda.
In 2023–24, Kupwara recorded four deaths, while Doda and Anantnag reported three each. In 2024–25, Doda and Kupwara recorded three deaths each and Anantnag reported two.
The government has established 42 wildlife control rooms across the Union Territory to respond to wildlife emergencies. The facilities have been equipped with equipment including tranquilising guns, medicines, capture nets, cages and rescue vehicles, according to details reported from the government’s response.
The figures underline the continuing challenge of managing encounters between people and wild animals across both rural and semi-urban landscapes. Black bears and leopards are among the species frequently involved in such encounters in Kashmir, while wildlife authorities have also been examining habitat, land-use and other factors associated with the conflict.
The government has maintained that the Assembly data did not indicate a significant overall increase in human-wildlife conflict in recent years, even as the scale of incidents remains substantial.
As Wildlife Week is observed from Oct 2 to Oct 8, the data puts renewed focus on the challenge of protecting wildlife while reducing risks to communities living in and around wildlife habitats. [KNT]
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