First Coordination Meeting to Tackle Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict Held in Awantipora
KINS Desk
Awantipora, Sep (KINS): In view of the increasing incidences of human-wildlife interaction being reported across the Kashmir valley, and in compliance with the directions of the Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, followed by the directions of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)/Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, and the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)/Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, the first meeting of the Sub-Divisional Level Coordination Committee for Mitigation and Management of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) for Awantipora Sub-Division was convened today.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mushtaq Ahmad Lone (JKAS), Additional Deputy Commissioner, Awantipora, pursuant to the order of the District Magistrate, Pulwama, constituting Sub-Divisional Level Coordination Committees for the mitigation and management of Human-Wildlife Conflict. The meeting was attended by officers from the Divisional Forest Office, Block Medical Officer Pampore/Tral, Wildlife Warden Pulwama, Block Development Officers of Awantipora/Pampore/Kakapora, SDAO Kakapora,
Executive Officer Municipal Committee Awantipora, and AEO Noorpora/Pampore.
During the meeting, the Wildlife Warden, Pulwama, made a detailed presentation on the operational context and status of Human-Wildlife Conflict in the region, highlighting hotspots, causative factors, and the need for coordinated inter-departmental response.
The Chairman directed all concerned departments to formally nominate Nodal Officers, along with their contact details, for effective field-level coordination, emergency response, and rescue operations related to Human-Wildlife Conflict.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner emphasized that timely and coordinated action among all stakeholder departments is critical to safeguarding public life and property while ensuring humane management of wildlife.
He directed that a Joint Control Room be established in coordination with the Wildlife Protection and Forest Departments for prompt reporting and response, and that periodic review meetings of the Committee be held to monitor compliance and progress on the action points fixed.
The general public has been urged to remain vigilant, avoid provoking wild animals, and immediately report any sighting or incident of Human-Wildlife conflict to the concerned nodal officers or the local administration for the prompt action. (KINS)
