Wild animal attacks whip up panic in Balakot

Sources say scores of cattle heads have died during these invasions

BALAKOT:

Panic and fear have gripped the locals as sightings of wild bears and leopards have become quite common at various human settlements in parts of Balakot. These wild beasts have not only killed humans but have also left scores of their cattle heads dead during invasions.

Recently, a woman was killed and several others injured in incidents of attack by wild animals including bears and leopards at various human settlements in parts of Balakot. Sources said, at Brarkot, a leopard was spotted on a road a few days back whereas a bear was said to have attacked a farmer working in the fields in the Jareed area.

During the last year, injured leopards were seen at various places on the Kaghan highway after which bears are also seen to be moving towards the human population which is not only a cause of danger to the locals but also to their precious livestock.

According to sources, the series of bear and leopard attacks at different places in Balakot has not stopped. Recently, three valuable horses and goats were killed by a leopard in an attack at Siri Paye.

Similarly, a bear killed several cattle in Bhunja Valley, while a woman named Fatima was attacked and killed by a bear in Ming. In Pambara, a wild bear attacked and scratched the face of Waliur Rehman's wife who is now fighting for her life.

Further, dozens of cattle have been killed in leopard attacks in Gurlat and its suburbs, while daytime sightings of leopards have spread fear among the people. However, no measures have been taken by the Wildlife Department to prevent the wild animals from moving towards the population.

After the effects of climate change, the wildlife in different places of Balakot and Kaghan Valley has made human life miserable.

Due to the lack of resources to stop the migration of wildlife to the human settlements, no action has been taken by the Wildlife Department, which is affecting the poor people.

Reasons for attack

According to experts, there can be two reasons for wildlife to turn to human settlements. Among them, the first and foremost important reason is that humans are affecting the habitat of wild animals, due to which these wild animals have to come out of their habitat.

Another reason is climate change. As a result of the reduction of food for wild animals in the forests due to climate change, these wild animals are turning to human settlements to meet their food needs.

However, to investigate these motivations, the relevant department and other institutions must conduct regular research on it so that on the one hand the wildlife can be protected and on the other hand the protection of human settlements from these wild animals can be made possible.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2023.