Wild animals let loose reign of terror in Dooru Anantnag
locals appeal DC Anantnag to intervene as pleas to Wildlife deptt falls on deaf ears
Abdul Basit
Dooru, July 07: The residents of several villages of Dooru Shahabad in Anantnag District are living in constant fear from the past few weeks after the increasing movement of a sleuth of bears in the area injuring three persons in one week.
Locals said from the past few days a group of black bears are roaming in Mirmaidan, Sheikh Bagh and adjoining areas and has attacked several humans and domestic animals as well. Three persons were seriously injured during last week.
On Sunday morning a retired Fire Service officer-Altaf Hussain Bodha was seriously injured after two bears attacked him in his orchard at Sheikh Bagh. Bodha had a narrow escape despite injuries in face, head and arms.
Locals protested against the Wildlife department and accused them of ignoring the repeated please of the people about the growing number of wild animals in residential areas. They said the only job left with the wildlife department is to visit the location after attack and register a case. "No preventive measure has been taken so far by the department, " They added.
“We are continuously living under threat from several days after so many people saw the pack of bears in the area." Abdul Rasheed, a local told media persons. They said they fear moving out of their houses even during day time and even people are unable to offer late night prayers in Masjids.
They said not only the bears but monkeys have also wreak havoc in the area as monkeys come in dozens at damage fruit , fruit trees and vegetables every year. Residents said the locals collectively make efforts to scare away monkeys as none from wildlife department have ever taken note of this issue.
Protesting locals alleged that even after injuring many humans, the wildlife officers didn't bother to visit the area but few temporary employees and daily wagers visited the area to geo tag the location of the incident thus speaking volumes about the lackadaisical approach of the department.
The locals appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Piyush Singla to intervene in the matter by putting wildlife employees to task for adopting lackadaisical approach and appealed him to personally monitor the operations to avoid man-animal conflict in the area to save human lives.
Wildlife Warden South Rouf Ahmad Zargar said they have received information from the area and a team has been sent to the area. "Our efforts are always there to address bear conflicts besides issues related to other wild animals," He added.
