Bear attack on livestock continues; villagers worried

Residents of gram panchayat Bhadawali in Rampur are living under the fear of bear attack on their livestock. The panchayat has lost around 25-30 cows in bear attacks over the last couple of years. “The bear killed two cows this morning,” said Sanjay Kaith, a resident of the panchayat. “There have been 25-30 bear attacks on livestock over the last two years. Cows are the backbone of rural economy. Those who have lost their cows have suffered a big financial setback,” he said.

Buddhi Singh, vice-pradhan of the panchayat, said the bear attacks have left everyone worried in the panchayat. “The bear enters the cowshed through the roof. It just manages to get in somehow, assaults the livestock and leaves through the same route,” he said.

Gurharsh Singh, DFO Rampur, said the cow sheds are close to the jungle and there’s bear movement in the area. “The department would put up camera traps in the area to identify the bear. If any particular bear is found involved in many attacks, there’s a provision for its translocation,” the DFO said.

Besides, he said, the department helps in expediting the compensation process for the farmers as and when such cases happen. He further said the other priority for the department in the event of bear attack is to ensure that there are no human injuries.