In a significant development, wildlife authorities have granted permission to hunt down a Black Bear believed to be responsible for a series of attacks in the Kastigarh area of District Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. The decision comes in the wake of a recent fatal incident where a man named Karnail Singh was reportedly attacked and killed by the bear on the 11th of September 2023.
The Wildlife Warden Chenab-Kishtwar had previously reported that on the 26th of August 2023, the same Black Bear had attacked and injured seven individuals in the same locality, raising concerns about the bear’s aggressive behavior. This assessment was further endorsed by the Regional Wildlife Warden Jammu.
The repeated attacks in the region have created a serious concern for human life and property. Wildlife authorities expressed worries that the bear might strike again, posing a potential threat to residents and their assets.
Despite extensive efforts to capture the bear using methods such as nets, cages, and tranquilizing guns, the challenging terrain, dense bushes, caves, and maize fields in the area have made it difficult to contain the animal. A special team of 12 officials from various control rooms of Kishtwar division of the Wildlife Protection Department, along with six local youths, were unable to apprehend the bear.
Given the gravity of the situation and the inability to safely capture the Black Bear through non-lethal means, Wildlife Warden Chenab-Kishtwar requested permission to kill the animal. This request was backed by Regional Wildlife Warden Jammu, who also recommended the issuance of a killing permit.
In accordance with the powers vested under section 11(a) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, has been granted permission to engage sharpshooters to hunt down the Black Bear. This permission is valid for 15 days from the 12th of September 2023 and is limited to the Kastigarh area of District Doda.
The sanction comes with several conditions, including simultaneous efforts to trap the animal using physical/chemical restraints, ensuring proper identification to prevent the mistaken killing of other animals, and conducting a postmortem of the bear’s body in the presence of Wildlife Warden Chenab-Kishtwar.
The decision to permit the killing of the bear has not been taken lightly, and authorities emphasize that this action is a last resort after all efforts to safely capture the animal have proven unsuccessful.
The incidents involving the Black Bear have not only resulted in tragic loss of life but have also triggered a law-and-order situation in the area, leading to serious public concern.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
