Over 15,000 human-wildlife conflict cases in 2 years: Govt

Jammu, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that there has been no significant increase in human-wildlife conflict incidents across the Union Territory in recent years, even as over 15,600 cases, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, were reported during the past two years.
Replying to a query of MLA Mubarik Gul, the government said that the reported figures do not indicate any sharp increase in such incidents.
As per the data, 9,301 cases of human wildlife conflict were reported in 2023 to 24 across the Union Territory. These incidents left 137 persons injured and claimed 18 lives.
Jammu district reported the highest number of cases at 1,444. However, no injury or death was recorded in the district during the period.
Kupwara recorded 1,173 cases and reported the highest number of deaths at four. The district also saw 23 injuries.
Doda and Anantnag reported three deaths each, while Baramulla and Bandipora recorded two deaths each. Udhampur, Kishtwar and Poonch reported one death each.
Kishtwar reported 998 cases, Baramulla 950 and Doda 826. Ramban recorded 756 cases and 15 injuries. Anantnag reported 667 cases with 11 injuries. Bandipora recorded 750 cases and nine injuries. Pulwama saw 367 cases and 12 injuries, while Shopian reported 224 cases and 10 injuries.
In the Jammu region, Udhampur reported 230 cases, Kathua 190, Rajouri 110 and Poonch 70. Reasi recorded 15 cases, while Samba reported none.
For the financial year 2024 to 25, the government said 6,360 cases have been reported so far, resulting in 213 injuries and 14 deaths.
Jammu district again reported the highest number of cases at 1,341. Anantnag recorded 637 cases, Ramban 686, Kishtwar 673 and Doda 609.
Kupwara reported three deaths, while Doda reported three and Anantnag two. Pulwama recorded one death along with 30 injuries. Poonch reported one death and 25 injuries.
The government further informed that in the Jammu region, the age of affected persons ranges between 15 and 60 years, while in the Kashmir region it ranges between 4 and 70 years. (KNO)