24×7 Control Room Curbs Human-Wildlife Conflict in Budgam, Zero Fatalities Reported  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The forested fringe villages of District Budgam, located along the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range, have long shared space with dense woodland and thriving wildlife habitats. While the movement of wild animals through these landscapes remains ecologically natural, the steady expansion of human settlements towards forest edges has increased contact between people and wildlife, leading to periodic conflict incidents, the governmnet told the assembly

To manage these encounters, the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Wildlife Protection has operationalised a 24×7 Human–Wildlife Conflict Control Room under its Wetlands Division, tasked with responding to emergencies across the district. The round-the-clock facility receives distress calls from any part of Budgam and dispatches field teams for immediate and coordinated action.

Officials said that during the current financial year, the control room has successfully handled 289 human–wildlife conflict cases. Of these, 128 cases were reported from Budgam town and the tehsil areas of Chadoora and Charar-i-Sharief. Notably, all reported incidents were resolved without any fatalities.

The department described the outcome as a marked improvement over previous years. No human deaths have been recorded so far this year, compared to four fatalities each in the last two financial years. Authorities attribute this decline to reduced response time, continuous monitoring, and better preparedness ensured by the dedicated control room.

To strengthen field operations, two additional wildlife rescue vehicles have been inducted this year, improving mobility and quick access to remote or difficult terrain. The control room has also been equipped with modern surveillance and rescue tools, including drones, night-vision binoculars, camera traps and smart sticks, enabling safer tracking and handling of animals, particularly during night operations.

While the existing system continues to function effectively, the department plans to expand its footprint. Additional control rooms have been proposed for Beerwah and Chadoora to decentralise response efforts and further reduce intervention time. These facilities are expected to be developed in phases, subject to administrative approvals and availability of resources.

Officials said the strengthened mechanism has already delivered tangible results in terms of public safety and mitigation of conflict, and further infrastructure and technological upgrades are expected to consolidate gains, ensuring quicker assistance and safer coexistence between humans and wildlife in Budgam’s forested belt.