A 65-year-old woman sustained serious injuries to her face and neck after a sudden bear attack in a remote village of Uttarkashi district on Monday. The incident has once again highlighted the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region, which has already witnessed over a dozen such attacks this year alone.
Details of the Pahi Village Attack
The victim, identified as Rukmini Devi, was on her way to the village's common cowshed in Pahi village of Bhatwari block around 5 pm to feed the cattle. Without warning, a bear emerged and attacked her. Hearing her desperate screams, fellow villagers rushed to the scene and managed to drive the animal away, likely saving her life.
She received initial treatment at the Bhatwari primary health centre before being referred to the district hospital for advanced care. Doctors at the district hospital have reported that Rukmini Devi is now in stable condition and recovering from her injuries.
A Disturbing Pattern of Increasing Conflicts
This attack is not an isolated event. Taknaur range officer Roop Mohan Nautiyal confirmed that this is the 13th bear attack in the area in 2024. Tragically, two of these incidents have resulted in fatalities. Just last Thursday, a 38-year-old man in Raithal village suffered severe injuries to his jaws and face in a similar encounter.
Uttarkashi divisional forest officer DP Baluni pointed out a clear and worrying trend. He stated that there has been a noticeable increase in bear attacks since 2020. The primary reason cited for this surge is poor waste management in human settlements, which attracts bears in search of easy food. Additionally, leftover apples from orchard grading are drawing these animals closer to populated areas.
Official Response and Preventive Measures
In response to the escalating crisis, the forest department is planning to deploy technological solutions. There are plans to install an Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (Aniders). This solar-powered device uses sensors to detect approaching wildlife and scares them away using a combination of sounds and lights.
Furthermore, recognizing the severe impact on victims' families, the government has significantly increased compensation. The compensation amount for deaths caused by wildlife attacks has been raised from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. This move aims to provide better financial support to those affected by these tragic events.
The repeated attacks in Uttarkashi underscore an urgent need for a multi-pronged strategy involving better waste disposal, community awareness, and technological intervention to mitigate the human-bear conflict and ensure safety for both villagers and wildlife.
