Srinagar: In view of the growing incidence of human-animal conflicts, the Wildlife Department has issued an advisory, asking people to follow it to prevent loss of life and injuries.
News agency KNO reported that the department has asked the people to follow preventive measures, which include the Dos and Don’ts issued by the department.
The advisory asks people to stop moving into the forest areas alone. Women and children, who are most vulnerable to attacks by leopards and bears, have been particularly asked to be careful.
It said the movement towards the forests during the evening and morning hours should be restricted as “it is the peak activity time for wild animals, particularly leopards. Don’t go near or chase the wild animals if sighted from a distance.”
The advisory said the livestock in the pastures inside forests should be attended to by at least three to four people. “Any type of bell or sound-producing device should be put around the neck of a few cattle,” it said.
The advisory called for avoiding dumping kitchen waste near residential houses. “Dumping kitchen waste invites dogs which in turn invites leopards,” it said.
The Wildlife Department said the people living in the vicinity of forests should complete outside activities during that time only.
It said the bushes and shrubs near the vicinity of the houses should be removed. Clearance of such vegetation will increase visibility and help in keeping wild animals away from the houses.
The advisory said the people should construct “leopard-proof” cattle sheds using wooden material or concrete structures. “A pet dog in the house can also alarm about the presence of predators in the vicinity of the houses,” it said.
The Wildlife Department also issued contacts of control rooms established to tackle man-animal conflicts.
Pertinently, the valley has been witnessing a surge in human-animal conflicts. In Budgam, two minors were killed by a leopard which was later killed by the authorities.
