At least 128 incidents of human-animal conflict have been reported in the Rajwar residential areas of Handwara Sub-District since 2017-18, resulting in four human fatalities and nine injuries. This information was revealed through official data obtained by RTI activist and lawyer Rasikh Rasool Bhat from the office of the Wildlife Warden, North Kashmir.
Locals in the Rajwar area have expressed concerns, attributing the surge in conflict incidents to the clearance of forests for the construction of the Handwara-Bangus road, which was granted in 2017. “The construction of this road, which cuts through the dense, unlogged forests of Rajwar, has greatly affected the wildlife habitat,” said a local resident. “As a result, animals are often forced to encroach upon human settlements, leading to frequent encounters between humans and wildlife.”
According to the RTI response, wildlife authorities have received 136 SOS calls regarding the presence of wild animals in the Rajwar area since 2017. Additionally, one wild animal was killed, and 22 were captured alive.
Rasikh Rasool Bhat, the RTI activist and lawyer who is also pursuing a case in the National Green Tribunal on this issue, pointed out that prior to 2018, such incidents were either rare or nonexistent. He stated, “Before 2018, there were hardly any such incidents. The surge in human-animal conflicts occurred after forest clearance was granted for the Handwara-Bangus road.” Bhat criticized the clearance process, claiming it violated Rule 7 C of the J&K Forest and Afforestation Rules, as there was an alternative feasible route through the Rajwar Zachaldara-Wadder area. “There was no need to construct a new road through Rajwar forests and cut down thousands of trees,” he added.
Bhat emphasized that the construction of the new road not only disrupted the local ecosystem but also had adverse effects on the livelihoods of the local population. “The increasing number of human-animal conflicts is affecting the employment opportunities of locals,” he said. “The new road bypasses the entire Rajwar area, depriving the locals of potential benefits.”
Advocate Rasikh Rasool Bhat stressed the urgent need for the cancellation of the Handwara-Bangus road project by the R&B Department and called for the reforestation of the affected areas. “The disturbed forests of Rajwar need to be declared a wildlife sanctuary,” Bhat said. “This will help protect the wildlife habitat and reduce the frequency of human-animal conflicts.” He also suggested creating a dedicated space for wildlife in the region, covering areas like Mawar-Chokibal and the surrounding zones of Bangus. “There must be a safe space for wildlife to prevent further conflicts and safeguard the wildlife in the area,” Bhat added