EC Musavi calls for coordinated response as LAHDC reviews Brown Bear conflict in Kargil

KARGIL: Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Aga Syed Mujtaba Musavi has called for a coordinated multi-departmental approach to address the recent incidents of human-brown bear conflict in the district, directing officials to expedite compensation for affected families, strengthen surveillance in vulnerable areas and intensify public awareness to minimise risks to both human life and wildlife.

The directions were issued during a review meeting convened to assess the recent spate of brown bear incidents reported from different parts of Kargil district, particularly Sankoo Sub-Division, and evaluate the mitigation measures being implemented by the concerned departments.

The meeting was attended by District Sheep Husbandry Officer Dr. Niyaz-ul-Hassanain, Wildlife Warden Raza Ali Abidi and Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim from the Animal Husbandry Department. Officials reviewed recent field reports, shared ground-level assessments and discussed measures to improve inter-departmental coordination in responding to human-wildlife conflict.

Expressing concern over the losses suffered by livestock owners, the Executive Councillor directed the concerned departments to simplify and accelerate the compensation process to ensure timely relief for affected families. He also stressed the need to adopt sustained mitigation measures aimed at reducing the movement of brown bears towards human habitations.

During the meeting, Wildlife Warden Raza Ali Abidi informed that the Wildlife Department has intensified surveillance in vulnerable locations by deploying additional field staff and Rapid Response Teams, strengthening night patrolling and operating control rooms round the clock to ensure prompt response to bear sightings and emergencies. He urged residents to immediately report bear sightings and cooperate with field personnel to prevent untoward incidents.

Emphasising the role of public participation in mitigating human-wildlife conflict, Aga Syed Mujtaba Musavi directed the Wildlife Department to undertake village-level awareness campaigns and expand outreach through social media platforms. He said educating people about precautionary measures and appropriate responses during bear encounters would help reduce risks in bear-prone areas.

Concluding the meeting, the Executive Councillor said sustained coordination among all stakeholder departments would remain essential for managing the growing challenge of human-brown bear conflict. He observed that an integrated approach balancing wildlife conservation with the protection of local livelihoods would be necessary to ensure the long-term safety of both communities and the region’s wildlife heritage.