Leopard attacks on rise in Doda-Kishtwar, 10 people killed, over 100 injured since 2011
NL Correspondent
Doda, March 8
Due to rising population and shrinking habitat of animals in twin
districts of Doda and Kishtwar region has resulted in frequent
human-animal conflict. Leopards strayed into human population and
claimed 10 human lives and injured over 100 people since 2011.
According to official figures of wildlife department division
Kishtwar, since 2001 there are 10 people who have lost their lives in
different man-animal conflict in twin districts while injuries to 109
persons.
In 2001 there were 2 people each killed in Doda and Kishtwar and
injured 12 persons, from 2012 to 14 no person was killed in any
man-animal conflict, but injuries to 61 persons. In 2015 to till now 6
people were killed, five of them were in Doda and injures to 36
persons.
Wildlife department had last month trapped three leopards from two
different places of district Doda, after wild beast injured several
persons and killed minor boy in Nalwa village. The
operation to trap leopards is continues in several villages by
wildlife teams and forest protection force.
A senior wildlife officer said,“We tranquilized the leopard and shifted it to Jammu zoo last month. three leopards were trapped within a week's time. but, we
(Human) should also need to understand that it's we who occupied their
habitation not they, if they attack us, is only because of shrinking
forests and rising ecological imbalance.”
He also admitted that department has been facing sever staff crunch
and unable to reach everyplace on time, but they are doing their level
best to run the system.
