Wildlife department issue advisory after increase in leopard attacks in J&K

The advisory comes as there have been repeated instances of leopards and bears venturing into residential areas or attacking people living near forest areas in recent months

Owing to the recent incidents of human-animal conflict in Kashmir, the J&K wildlife protection department has issued an advisory urging people living in the vicinity of forests to complete their outside activities like social visits, fetching water and grazing cattle during day time only.

The department also asked people to install sufficient lights for utilities outside your home so that animals do not feel safe in the vicinity. (HT Photo for representation)

The department also asked people to install sufficient lights for utilities outside your home so that animals do not feel safe in the vicinity. “Do not dump kitchen waste around your houses as this invites stray dogs to the spot which in turn invites leopard movement,” the advisory said.

The advisory comes as there have been repeated instances of leopards and bears venturing into residential areas or attacking people living near forest areas in recent months. The advisory urged people to not move alone in the forest area.

“Children and women are more vulnerable to leopard/bear attacks, which can be contained if they move in groups or children are accompanied by an elderly person,” the department said. It asked people to avoid going to forests for collection of wood etc. in early morning or evening hours.

“Livestock taken to pastures inside forests and near crop fields must be attended by three to four persons. Any type of bell or sound producing device can be put around the neck of cattle,” it said.