Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals.
According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels.
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Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals.
In August, a black bear pounced on Manzoor Ahmad Dar at his vegetable farm. He is still recovering from a serious head injury.
In turn, experts say, animals are approaching human settlements in search of food and shelter, leading to a sharp increase in attacks.
The conflict has also intensified because the wildlife population has increased as animal poaching has almost stopped due to the tense security situation and the presence of Indian troops in forest areas. Bears have easy access to food from the kitchen waste of the armed forces’ camps.
Kashmiri woman Zamrooda with her son Sahil Majeed whom she saved from a leopard attack in 2009 in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. Zamrooda said despite her wounds and continuous bleeding she fought with leopard and dragged her son Sahil majeed from the mouth of a leopard as he attacked them in their village in 2009. " I had finished almost all work at my home. I supposed to go in fields for work. I saw something strange animal he jumped on me I was not able to move I was bleeding he tore my clothes suddenly it comes to my mind that my son was outside I ran away towards my son I hit leopard's mouth with stick and pull my son out from his mouth. He escaped and entered others cow shed where he killed a cow. Then I was shifted to hospital by locals for treatment. my son was 4 years old that time." (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Zulikha, shows a picture of her husband Showket Ahmad who was killed by a bear last year at Dardkhor village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Siduiq Kumar poses for photographs inside his home after he got injured in a bear attack at Kangan, northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. An elderly vegetable seller. Kumar was returning to his home with fodder for his cattle. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A black bear yawns at its enclosure at the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
The Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported is seen at dusk on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Yaqoob who survived a wild bear attack moves towards his home at Dardkhor village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. "I was with cattle near my house, suddenly a bear came from the forest side and jumped on me. I was having a dog along with me that time which saved me. Unfortunately my right leg was damaged leaving me handicapped for lifetime.", Yaqoob said. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Ali Mohd Sofi, who survived in a wild bear attack feeds his sheep outside his home on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Aug . 8, 2019. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A leopard looks from a tree inside an enclosure at the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A man walks holding the hands of two children at dusk at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Younis stands with his dog Balu outside his home at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Haseena,8, right and Muskan, 14, play inside their home at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
The Himalayan black bear is at the heart of this trouble. Experts say over 80% of the deaths and maulings are due to attacks by black bears.
An elderly Kashmiri villager Lal Din, looks out from a window of his home at Dardkhor village, an area that experiences frequent attacks by wild animals, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
In August, a black bear pounced on Manzoor Ahmad Dar at his vegetable farm. He is still recovering from a serious head injury.
Last year, Showkat Ahmed Khatana, a 50-year-old nomad, was killed while trying to save his younger brother from a black bear attack near their home in the Harwan area in the outskirts of the region’s main city, Srinagar. His brother was injured in the attack.
Nestled between mountain peaks and plateaus, Kashmir has witnessed a rapid change in how people are using the land. Vast paddy fields have been converted into mostly apple orchards. New neighborhoods have popped up around wetlands and forest areas. Deforestation and climate change have added to woes.
Mohammad Younis and his relative Lal use a torch from a mobile phone as they walk outside their home at Dardkhor village, an area that experiences frequent attacks from wild animals, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
In turn, experts say, animals are approaching human settlements in search of food and shelter, leading to a sharp increase in attacks.
“Animals too have adopted to this change,” said Rashid Naqash, Kashmir’s chief wildlife warden. “And interestingly, they find their food and shelter easily available now in orchards and forest foothills where humans have settled.”
Naqash said that previously, black bears would usually go into hibernation during the winter. "But now they’re active even in deep, harsh winters and prowl throughout the year,” he said.
Manzoor Ahmad Dar rests inside a Mosquito net as he was injured in a bear attack inside his house at Khimber village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. A 36 year old Kashmiri farmer Manzoor Ahmad dar receives serious head injury outside his home as wild black bear appears at his kitchen garden outside his home as Dar and his uncle Abdul Ahad Dar aged 55 years old soon after the attack our of close neighbor was also receive injuries . Villagers chased the bear and he got disappeared soon after the attack. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
The conflict has also intensified because the wildlife population has increased as animal poaching has almost stopped due to the tense security situation and the presence of Indian troops in forest areas. Bears have easy access to food from the kitchen waste of the armed forces’ camps.
Animals also have found their habitat broken up in the mountainous region, which is crisscrossed by thousands of miles (kilometers) of barbed wire and patrolled by tens of thousands of Indian troops.
Ghulam Mohideen Sheikh who survived a wild bear attack outside his home shows his injuries at Khimber village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Kashmiri woman Zamrooda with her son Sahil Majeed whom she saved from a leopard attack in 2009 in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. Zamrooda said despite her wounds and continuous bleeding she fought with leopard and dragged her son Sahil majeed from the mouth of a leopard as he attacked them in their village in 2009. " I had finished almost all work at my home. I supposed to go in fields for work. I saw something strange animal he jumped on me I was not able to move I was bleeding he tore my clothes suddenly it comes to my mind that my son was outside I ran away towards my son I hit leopard's mouth with stick and pull my son out from his mouth. He escaped and entered others cow shed where he killed a cow. Then I was shifted to hospital by locals for treatment. my son was 4 years old that time." (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Zulikha, shows a picture of her husband Showket Ahmad who was killed by a bear last year at Dardkhor village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Siduiq Kumar poses for photographs inside his home after he got injured in a bear attack at Kangan, northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. An elderly vegetable seller. Kumar was returning to his home with fodder for his cattle. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A black bear yawns at its enclosure at the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
The Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported is seen at dusk on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Yaqoob who survived a wild bear attack moves towards his home at Dardkhor village in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. "I was with cattle near my house, suddenly a bear came from the forest side and jumped on me. I was having a dog along with me that time which saved me. Unfortunately my right leg was damaged leaving me handicapped for lifetime.", Yaqoob said. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Ali Mohd Sofi, who survived in a wild bear attack feeds his sheep outside his home on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Aug . 8, 2019. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A leopard looks from a tree inside an enclosure at the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
A man walks holding the hands of two children at dusk at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Mohammad Younis stands with his dog Balu outside his home at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)
Haseena,8, right and Muskan, 14, play inside their home at Dardkhor village, where several cases of wild animals attacking villagers have been reported, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Amid the long-raging deadly strife in Indian-controlled Kashmir, another conflict is silently taking its toll on the Himalayan region’s residents: the conflict between man and wild animals. According to official data, at least 67 people have been killed and 940 others injured in the past five years in attacks by wild animals in the famed Kashmir Valley, a vast collection of alpine forests, connected wetlands and waterways known as much for its idyllic vistas as for its decades-long armed conflict between Indian troops and rebels. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)