Bilal Habib
Shopian, September 07: An Awareness Programme on “Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Wildlife
Management” was conducted on Monday at the Higher Secondary School, Sedow, Shopian, under the Chairmanship of Sohail Ahmad Wagay, ACF, Wildlife Warden, Shopian-Pulwama, in collaboration with Wildlife SOS.
The programme was organised under the overall guidance and directions of Suneesh Buxy, IFS, Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, and Tawheed Ahmad Deva, IFS, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, with the theme “Promoting Coexistence Through Conservation, Capacity Building and Scientific Wildlife Management.”
The programme focused on sensitising participants about the growing incidence of human-wildlife conflict in the region and outlined practical preventive measures and mitigation strategies to foster safer coexistence between local communities and wildlife, including leopards, black bears, and snakes, officials told Morning Kashmir.
Resource persons used illustrated
awareness material, including pictorial guides on avoiding encounters with wild animals and do’s and don’ts during
snake sightings, to communicate safety protocols in a manner accessible to students and community members alike.
The event was attended by Aliya Mir, Head, Wildlife SOS and Member, UT Wildlife Board, J&K, along with officials and field staff of the Department of Wildlife Protection and Wildlife SOS. The programme saw enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members of the Higher Secondary School, Sedow, as well as
members of the local community.
Speaking on the occasion, the resource persons highlighted the importance of community cooperation in reducing conflict incidents, emphasised precautionary measures to be adopted in conflict-prone areas, and briefed attendees on the role of the Department and Wildlife SOS in rescue, rehabilitation, and conflict mitigation efforts across the region.
Students and local community members actively engaged in the interactive session and expressed gratitude to the Department of Wildlife Protection and Wildlife SOS for organising the awareness programme. Participants appreciated the initiative and urged that similar awareness programmes be conducted more frequently to strengthen awareness and preparedness among communities living in proximity to wildlife habitats.
