Jammu, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed 15,661 human-wildlife conflict cases from 2023 to 2025, claiming 32 lives and injuring 350 people, with Jammu district alone contributing nearly 18 percent of all incidents, Forest Minister Javed Rana informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, Rana revealed that 2023-24 saw 9,301 cases with 137 injuries and 18 deaths; Jammu topped at 1,444 cases, followed by Kupwara (1,173), Kishtwar (998), Baramulla (950), Doda (826), and Ramban (756), while Kupwara, Doda, and Anantnag each reported three fatalities.
In 2024-25 (so far), 6,360 cases led to 213 injuries and 14 deaths, with Jammu again leading (1,341), trailed by Ramban (686), Kishtwar (673), Anantnag (637), and Doda (609); Pulwama saw 30 injuries, Anantnag 34, and Doda-Kupwara each three deaths.
Rana noted affected age groups span 15-60 in Jammu region and 4-70 in Kashmir, asserting conflicts haven’t risen sharply lately, while mitigation includes 42 control rooms with tranquilizers, nets, and quick-response teams at hotspots, plus habitat zoning and signage.
Pending compensations burden Kupwara (46 cases), Anantnag (41), and Baramulla (28), as long-term wildlife corridor protection integrates into planning for coexistence.
