15,661 Human–Wildlife Conflict Cases Reported in Jammu Kashmir Between 2023 and 2025: Govt | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A total of 15,661 human–wildlife conflict incidents were reported across Jammu and Kashmir between 2023 and 2025, resulting in 32 deaths and 350 injuries, with Jammu district accounting for nearly 18 per cent of the cases.

Forest Minister Javed Rana shared the information in the Assembly on Tuesday in a written reply to a question by Mubarak Gul.

According to the minister, 9,301 cases were recorded in 2023–24, leading to 137 injuries and 18 fatalities. Jammu district reported the highest number of incidents (1,444), followed by Kupwara, Kishtwar, Baramulla, Doda and Ramban. Kupwara recorded four deaths, while Doda and Anantnag reported three deaths each during the year.

For 2024–25, 6,360 cases have been reported so far, resulting in 213 injuries and 14 deaths. Jammu district again recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Ramban, Kishtwar, Anantnag and Doda. Anantnag reported the highest number of injuries during the current fiscal, while Doda and Kupwara recorded three deaths each.

The minister informed the House that in the Jammu region, affected individuals were aged between 15 and 60 years, while in the Kashmir region, the age range was between 4 and 70 years. He said human–wildlife conflict mitigation measures are being integrated into development planning to ensure long-term coexistence and noted that incidents have not increased significantly in recent years.

The government has established 42 control rooms across the Union Territory to provide round-the-clock response to wildlife emergencies. These centres are equipped with tranquilising guns, rescue equipment and trained personnel. Authorities are also conducting regular patrols, deploying quick response teams in identified hotspots, installing warning signages and undertaking long-term measures such as scientific zoning of conflict areas, habitat improvement and protection of wildlife corridors.

The government further informed that several compensation claims remain pending, with Kupwara, Anantnag and Baramulla among the districts reporting the highest number of unresolved cases.