Uttarakhand’s bear, leopard attacks find a mention in Parliament, MP says parents have stopped sending kids out

Baluni said, “Over the last three weeks, four people have been killed in leopard attacks, and there has been a spurt in these attacks, with 15 having been injured. Bear attacks have also risen over the last three weeks. In this season, these attacks would never happen.”

Explaining the consequences and the air of terror in the region, he said that parents have stopped sending their children out. “When dusk falls, a curfew-like situation is in place as a result,” he said. Baluni requested that a team be dispatched from the Wildlife Institute of India to probe into the recurring conflicts. “Those who lose their family to such attacks should also be taken care of by the Centre,” he said.

Bhatt reiterated the concerns, seeking an additional ex gratia payment to the next of kin of those attacked by wild animals.

“Since the formation of the state, 1,264 people have died, and 6,519 have been injured in human-wildlife conflicts. The highest number of deaths has occurred in leopard attacks. This year alone, bear attacks have resulted in five deaths,” he said, urging the Centre to prepare a special action plan.

Last month, the Uttarakhand cabinet raised compensation for families of victims of man-wildlife conflict from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The black bear attacks have perturbed the forest department, which has attributed the changes in bear behaviour to climate change, reduced food availability, improper waste management, and habitat disturbance.

Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Ranjan Kumar Mishra earlier said that five deaths have been reported in bear attacks this year. According to data from the department, this is the highest since 2016 — a year that also saw five deaths from bear attacks.