KINS Correspondent
Srinagar, June 21 (KINS): At least three people have been grievously injured in Gundinawrooz Larkipora Anantnag after being attacked by a wild bear.
The incident took place on Friday when a teacher of a local school and his wife had gone to their orchard, where they were attacked by a bear. Similarly, a 10th class student has also been grievously injured.
The victims have been identified as Ghulam Nabi Lone son of Abdul Aziz Lone, his wife Firdousa, and Mohammad Asif Wani son Mohammad Amin Wani.
“All have received grievous injuries on their face and head. One has received 60 stitches while other two have received 40 and 30 stitches,” a local told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Medical Superintendent GMC Anantnag Dr Majeed Mehrab confirmed to KINS that all three are admitted to the hospital and their treatment is going.
Several incidents have been reported in the area for the last few weeks which has created a fear among the locals.
A wild bear recently also injured several people in the Dooru area.
Wildlife Warden South Kashmir Abdul Rauf Zargar however said he got reports only one person has been injured.
“We have launched a hunt and installed a cage to catch this bear. People should also take preventive measures and not confront wild animals. Post spring is very volatile when animals start coming to residential areas or in orchards as shepherds also go to upper areas,” he told KINS.
He said the Wildlife Department provides Rs 3 lakh to those who get killed by wild animals.
Similarly, for those who receive grievous injury is provided Rs 1 lakh, he said.
Zargar said others are provided compensation as per recommendations of medical experts based on the injuries.
The increase in bear-human conflicts has contributed to the land use change around forests, habitat loss, degradation of habitats due to heavy livestock grazing and non-timber forest products (NTFP) collection, disturbance and fragmentation of habitats. In some areas, kitchen waste of security force camps also attract black bears.(KINS)
