Jeypore: Incidents of man-animal conflict have been a frequent phenomenon in the mountainous Jeypore block of Koraput district, thanks to the fast dwindling of forests and habitats of wild animals.
Due to fast deforestation and lack of food, animals journey towards villages, causing man-animal conflict.
As per a survey, as many as 26 people have been mauled to death by bears while at least 32 bears have been killed by humans in the last eight years in Jeypore forest division. The report comes as a shocker for animal lovers and environmentalists who raised concern and demanded immediate steps to stop the man-animal conflict before things turned worse.
In Koraput district, Jeypore, Baipariguda, Lamataput, Kundura and Kotapad are the highest producers of sugarcane, jackfruits, cashew nuts while Laxmipur, Dasmantpur, Nandapur, Padua, Chatua and Pottangi are growers of banana and jackfruits, favourite foods of bear.
DOMINO EFFECT
- Due to fast deforestation and lack of food, wild animals stray into villages
- Fearing loss of crops, the villagers beat the animals up and thus ensues man-animal conflict
- Around 319.65 acre of produce have been destroyed by bears in the last eight years
In a bid to consume the fruits, the bear stray into forests near the villages and are beaten to death by people who are in the habit that if they don’t kill the bear, they will destroy their produce and bring them huge crop loss.
As per a survey from 2011-2019, as many as 26 people have lost their lives while 32 bears have been beaten to death in Jeypore, Borigumma, Kotapad, Kundura and Baipariguda range under Jeypore forest division. Similarly, more than 100 people have suffered injuries in bear attack while reports suggest that as many as 27 people have been crippled/bed-ridden for life due to the attack.
On the other hand, at least 319.65 acre of produce was destroyed by bears in eight years. Moreover, people in the tribal-dominated district depend on forest produce like mushroom, sal leaves and, kiridi and fall prey to bears on their way to forests for collection.
Till now, Rs 23.65 lakh in 2013-14, Rs 16.15lakh in 2014-15, Rs 6.15 lakh in 2015-16, Rs 8.55 lakhs in 2016-17, Rs 8.45 lakh in 2017-18 and Rs 1 lakh in 2018-19 fiscal year has been provided as compensation for the bear attack victims.
In recent cases, Bishnu Kishani (35) of Tumuripadar village under Tankua panchayat of Jeypore district was left critical after he was attacked by a bear while he had gone to attend nature’s call March 14, 2018 night.
Similarly, August 22, 2018, three persons – Shyam Pangi of Baipariguda, Yudhistir Pantia (46) of Gadapadar under Jeypore block and Arjun Santa were attacked by bears on the same day separately.
The rise in the man-conflict has become a matter of concern with locals alleging the forest department of sitting idle on government norms to protect the wild animals and their habitats.
On the other hand, the forest officials claim to be taking steps to stop the attacks.
“Movements of bears are being tracked and awareness is being spread among villagers,” Jeyore divisional forest officer Aswin Kumar Kar said.
PNN