Tangmarg: People of Tangmarg had a sigh of relief when Wildlife department captured five black bears, including three cubs, from residential areas of Chandal Wanigam and Bungam Kunzer, Monday, and shifted them to their habitation in Gulmarg.
Wildlife Warden for north Kashmir, Mohammad Maqbool Baba, told Kashmir Images that the department of wildlife was making all possible efforts to keep a check on man-animal conflicts which has unfortunately witnessed increase during the past few years mostly because of human interference in the woods and shortage of food in forests.
“We have captured five black bears including three cubs from residential areas of Chandal Wanigam and Bungam Kunzer and sedated them before deporting them to Gulmarg habitation. The bears were set free in forests of Gulmarg,” he added.
He further said that he wanted to assure people about all possible help from the department and suggested to contact the Range Officer, Wildlife Gulmarg, on his number 9622225653 whenever there is any man-animal conflict.
When contacted, the Range Officer Wildlife Gulmarg, Nasir Ahmad, while admitting the rise of man-animal conflicts said that four cages had been placed in different villages to capture the wild animals including bears and asked people to feel free to contact the department after spotting any wild animal.
“Our two employees- Ashiq Ahmad and Reyaz Ahmad- got injured while capturing the wild bears. We assure all possible help to people,” he added.
Residents of different areas of Tanmarg allege that despite series of man-animal conflicts, not a single bear or leopard was captured from residential areas. However, wild life officials say that four cages were placed in the residential areas of Tangmarg following public complaints of wild animals roaming in the villages.
