Awantipora, September 5: The first meeting of the Sub-Divisional Level Coordination Committee for the mitigation and management of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in Awantipora was held on Saturday, with officials reviewing measures for coordinated response to wildlife-related incidents.
The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Mushtaq Ahmad Lone and was held following the constitution of the committee by the District Magistrate, Pulwama, in accordance with directions issued by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department and wildlife authorities.
Officers from the Divisional Forest Office, Wildlife Warden Pulwama, Block Medical Offices of Pampore and Tral, Block Development Offices of Awantipora, Pampore and Kakapora, SDAO Kakapora, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Awantipora and Agriculture Extension Offices of Noorpora and Pampore attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Wildlife Warden, Pulwama, gave a presentation on the prevailing human-wildlife conflict situation in the region. The presentation covered identified conflict hotspots, factors contributing to such incidents and the need for coordination among departments.
The committee discussed measures for improving communication and response during human-wildlife conflict incidents. The Chairman directed all participating departments to nominate Nodal Officers and provide their contact details to facilitate field-level coordination, emergency response and wildlife rescue operations.
Lone directed that a Joint Control Room be established in coordination with the Wildlife Protection and Forest Departments for receiving reports and coordinating responses to incidents.
He also directed that periodic review meetings of the committee be held to assess progress on the decisions taken and ensure compliance with the agreed action points.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner said timely coordination among departments was necessary to protect public life and property while ensuring the humane management of wildlife.
The administration also urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid provoking wild animals and report wildlife sightings or human-wildlife conflict incidents to the designated Nodal Officers or local administration for prompt response.
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