Wildlife Department Sets Up Night Camps in Kashmir to Prevent Leopard Attacks

Srinagar, June 15, KNT: The Wildlife Department has established night camps in several vulnerable areas across Kashmir Valley to prevent man-animal conflict following frequent sightings of leopards in populated localities.

The move comes amid growing concern among residents in many areas where leopards have reportedly been spotted regularly, creating fear among people living close to forested zones.

Officials said the night camps have been set up in sensitive locations so that wildlife teams can respond quickly to leopard sightings and prevent any untoward incidents involving humans or animals.

Wildlife Warden Central Altaf Hussain said the department’s primary aim is to ensure safety for both humans and wildlife.

“Conflicts between humans and wild animals have existed since the dawn of humanity, but such incidents have become more frequent in recent times,” he told KNT.

He said the department is working to ensure that neither people are harmed nor animals are killed during such encounters.

“Our main motive is to avoid this conflict. We want neither humans to be harmed nor animals to be killed. Unfortunately, in some incidents there has been loss of human life and some animals were also killed by people in self-defence,” he said.

According to officials, the Wildlife Department recently rescued a leopard from the Wuyan area of Khrew in south Kashmir.

Altaf Hussain said this was the third leopard rescued within a span of seven days in the Khrew range.

“The Rescue Control Room of Khrew Range continued to show its 24×7 commitment and successfully rescued the third leopard without allowing any human-wildlife conflict,” he said.

Officials said the department has intensified surveillance and rescue operations in areas where leopard sightings have been reported.

The Wildlife Department has also appealed to residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and inform wildlife officials immediately if they spot any wild animal. [KNT]