Rising Bear threat in J&K: Two hurt in Doda incidents

Two people were injured in separate incidents after a wild bear attacked them in the Kashtigarh area of Doda district on Monday, officials said.

The injured have been identified as Rubina and Muneer . According to officials, the attacks took place near forested areas where residents often pass through for daily activities. On hearing their screams, local villagers rushed to the spot and managed to chase the bear back into the forest, preventing more serious injuries. Both victims were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

The incidents have revived concerns about the increasing number of wild animal encounters in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the past year, the Union Territory has witnessed a steady rise in human-wildlife conflict, with officials estimating nearly 4,000 to 5,000 animal-related incidents reported across districts. These include encounters involving bears, leopards, monkeys, and other wild species, resulting in multiple injuries and several fatalities.

In recent months, bear attacks have been reported from districts such as Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Rajouri, where people working in fields or walking near forest fringes were suddenly attacked. These repeated incidents have left rural communities living in constant fear.

Villagers in the affected areas have urged the Wildlife Department to take urgent preventive measures, including regular forest patrols, installation of warning systems and awareness drives to reduce the risk of further attacks.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored and assured that additional steps would be taken to prevent human-wildlife conflict and ensure the safety of residents.