Fear has gripped the residents of nearly three dozen villages in the Bharmour block of Chamba district following a series of bear attacks, which have claimed one life and left another person seriously injured. Angered by what they call administrative inaction, villagers have staged protests and threatened to launch a larger agitation if the government fails to capture the wild animals.
Details of the Recent Attacks
According to Shyam Singh, the gram pradhan of Khani village, the first tragic incident occurred in the last week of November. Satya Devi, a woman in her late 50s, was killed when a bear attacked her while she was in the forest grazing her goats and cattle. Just a couple of days ago, another woman, Guddu Devi, aged around 60, was seriously injured in a similar bear attack while she was returning to her home. She was subsequently admitted to the Medical College in Tanda for treatment.
Shyam Singh expressed deep concern over the changing behavior of the bears, stating, "Earlier, bears rarely attacked people, but now such incidents have become frequent." This sudden spike in aggressive encounters has shattered the sense of security in the remote villages.
Administrative Response and Villagers' Anger
Frustrated by the perceived lack of action, local residents blocked a road in protest. They submitted a memorandum to the Chamba administration, urgently requesting authorities to capture the bears or implement effective measures to keep them away from human settlements. Shyam Singh warned that if no concrete steps are taken, the community would be compelled to intensify their agitation.
In response, District Forest Officer (DFO) Kirtgya Kumar met with the worried residents. He assured them that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent further attacks. The forest department has dispatched cages, tranquilizer guns, and protective shields for staff, and has increased patrolling in the vulnerable areas. The DFO also requested locals to assist in joint patrolling efforts.
Root Cause and Scale of the Problem
DFO Kumar explained a likely reason for the increased bear presence near villages. The Khani panchayat area is known for its apple orchards. Bears are often attracted to the leftover apples, which draws them dangerously close to human habitations in search of food.
Highlighting the scale of the threat, Hitesh Jaryal, a Bharmour resident and president of the Youth Congress, provided a rough estimate. He stated that over 15 bears are currently roaming in the vicinity of nearly 32 villages under the Khani and Greema panchayats. Their persistent presence has created widespread panic, with many residents now afraid to step outside their homes even during the day.
The situation remains tense in Chamba as the forest department's promised actions are put to the test, and villagers wait anxiously for a solution to the escalating human-wildlife conflict.
