Surviving snow, now people face threat from wild animals in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 11 (UNI) After surviving snow storms and avalanches, people living in upper reaches in the Kashmir Valley are now facing a threat from wild animals who had come down from the woods following the heaviest snowfall in 20 years last week.

The Wildlife Department has directed people living in villages adjacent to forests to remain cautious against the movement of wild animals who have now turned towards plains in the wake of heavy snowfall on upper reaches.

Reports of attacks on villagers by wild animals during the past fortnight have been received from different areas in north and south Kashmir.

People at Poswani, Pattan, in north Kashmir district of Baramulla caught an injured porcupine before he could attack any villager.

The porcupine was later handed over to wildlife department.

A leopard was beaten to death by villager in the central Kashmir district of Badgam after he attacked and injured seven persons on February 7 while a three-month old leopard was caught at Nowshera in north Kashmir. Another leopard was killed by villagers at Kralgund Handwara.

A bear was caught by wildlife officials at Kralgund Handwara on February 7.

More than 30 people were killed and scores injured after they were attacked by leopards, foxes and bear in the valley during the past one year.

In retaliation, villagers also killed four wild animals in the valley during the period. A number of animals loving organisation protests against these killings. However, villagers rejected these protested and said the wild animals killed and injured people, including women and small children.

UNI BAS LS DS1625