Bear attacks put Kashmir villages on alert

Srinagar, May 7: As Kashmir moves through late spring and approaches summer, Himalayan black bears are increasingly entering villages and orchards across the Valley.

Three people were injured in separate bear attacks in Ganderbal, Kupwara and Baramulla districts over the past four days, officials said.

Wildlife officials said bears move closer to habitations during late spring and early summer in search of food and cover.

Villagers in parts of north Kashmir said fear has spread after repeated bear sightings and attacks near orchards and residential areas.

“We are living in fear now. People avoid going to orchards alone, especially in the morning and evening,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Kupwara district. “Children and the elderly are the most scared.”

The latest incident took place on May 6. Zahida Begum, 32, was attacked by a bear in the Gund Aku forest area of Ganderbal district, officials said.

She was shifted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, where she is undergoing treatment.

A day earlier, Hameeda Begum, 32, was injured in a bear attack in the Puthwari Nowgam forest area of Lawoosa in Kupwara district. She is being treated at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.

On May 3, Mudasir Ahmad Chanieja was injured in a bear attack in the Gulistan Bala area of Sheeri Narvaw in Baramulla district.

Officials said Chanieja had gone to the Gawas Budun area with livestock when a bear attacked him around 9 a.m. He is undergoing treatment at GMC Baramulla.

Several bear attacks were also reported in April. Wildlife officials also trapped dozens of bears using cages in vulnerable areas.

On April 20, Jalil Ahmad Khan was injured in a bear attack in the Hakapathri area of Pahlipora-Boniyar in Baramulla district.

On April 8, two persons were injured in a bear attack in the Madian area of Kamalkote in Uri.

Wildlife officials said the beginning of the fruiting season draws bears closer to orchards and villages.

Khurshid Ahmad Shah, head of the Wildlife Protection Department at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), said such incidents increase during this period.

“Yes, of course they are on the rise. But as far as the pattern of incidents is concerned, it is marginally very low in summers except in some areas,” Shah said.

Suhail Intesar, wildlife warden for north Kashmir, said apricots had started ripening while thick vegetation gives bears cover while moving through orchards.

“This season marks the beginning of fruiting,” Intesar said. “As grasses and foliage become denser, bears get better cover to move around orchards.”

Intesar said climate change was also affecting bear movement.

“The delayed snowfall in lower areas during winters means they can postpone or even skip hibernation altogether,” he said. “They may stay active throughout the winter in residential areas.”

He also said poor waste management and stray dogs attract bears to populated areas.

“In autumn, leftover apples in orchards feed these bears. So, these bears can now be seen roaming in habitations in all seasons -autumn, winter, spring and even summer,” Intesar said.

Another wildlife official blamed unattended household and kitchen waste for drawing bears into residential areas.

“We can see waste scattered across wastelands and private land in areas where bears are roaming,” the official said. “If they get shelter and food here, why would they return to the forests?”

The official said the department had increased surveillance and was using cameras and drones to monitor bear movement.