AP Environmental Science

A fence in India that was put up about 3 years ago between the India – Pakistan border is now having some major impacts on the wildlife in the surrounding area. This  fencing was put up to stop “guerrilla activity linked to a separatist revolt.” The fence is about 8 feet high and stretches for about 460 miles in the region, dividing Kashmir.

This fence is not allowing for the free movement that the leopards and the black bears in the area are used to. They are now moving into villages and killing people. They are dragging people from their houses and mauling them.  At least 12 people have been killed by the wild animals. 5 of those 12 were killed last month and numerous others have been injured.

Photo credit: www.wikipedia.com

The number of bear and leopard populations have been increasing since a ban on hunting them was put in place in 1970; however, the number of pine forests have been decreasing, leaving the wild animals no where to go. There are approximately 8,000 leopards in India. The number of leopards in Kashmir is not known, along with the number of black bears in both places.

Control rooms are being set up and the authorities are educating the local people, cautioning them about the issue.

In approximately the last 10 months, six bears and leopards have been killed by villagers and authorities together.

I understand the concern about the militant groups crossing the border, but I think that a new solution needs to be developed. It is not fair that the wildlife in the area is suffering. Plus not only is the wildlife suffering by not being able to move freely and by being killed, but the people are being hurt. They are being seriously injured and even killed. Another solution needs to be found.

Information from: http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11708  Article: Fenced in, Kashmir’s Leopards, Bears Stalk Villages   By:Ashok Pahalwan