Two injured bear attack in Kashmir, 23 killed so far

Srinagar, Sep 9 (UNI) Two presons were injured in yet another attack by a bear in south Kashmir, official sources said.

Sources said a bear attacked and injured 60-year-old Mohammad Ayub Piswal and Abdul Rashid Khatana at Nar Sangri forest in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag. They were however, rescued by other villagers and shifted to hospital.

Despite taking a number of measures to stop the man-animal conflict, deaths and injuries in bear attacks this year have registered hundred per cent increase.

According to official figures 12 people were killed in animal-man conflict in the Jammu and Kashmir during 2005-06 while the number increased to 23 in 2006-07, a 100 per cent increase.

Similarly, only 67 people were injured in attacks by bear and leopards in 2005-06 against 144 in 2006-07.

The officials said only 28 death cases were paid compensation of Rs one lakh while the remaining 7 death cases were under process.

Among the total 211 injured only 71 were paid the compensation so far, it said.

In man-animal conflicts during the past ten years, more than 150 people have lost their lives and about 1,500 wounded in Jammu and Kashmir.

Two leopards were also killed by the people since January this year in the valley.

The reason behind the increasing man-animal conflicts in the state was the shrinking habitats of wild animals, spread of human settlements, deforestation and decrease in herbivore population.

UNI