Three villagers injured, cattle dead in Chamba bear attacks

Panic has gripped parts of Chamba district after multiple bear attacks over the last two days left three persons injured and a cow dead. Another villager had a narrow escape.

A man and his wife, residents of Karyuni panchayat in the tribal Pangi division, were injured when they were attacked by a female bear this morning. Naren Singh and his wife Anita Kumari were taking their cattle for grazing to a high ground when the bear attacked them near Seri village early morning. As the bear charged, the couple fell down the roadside slope.

The enraged animal then attacked a cow, killing it instantly. Hearing the couple’s cries, villagers rushed the spot and chased away the bear. The injured couple was referred to the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba.

The incident has raised concerns in Pangi villages where both brown and black bears have been frequently descending from forests into human settlements in search of food, often destroying maize, apples and other crops.

The villagers say the animals are not only causing heavy damage to the crops, but also endangering lives, forcing residents to avoid fields during early morning and evening hours.

On Friday morning, Aarti Devi (24) was grievously injured when a bear attacked her while she was grazing her cattle near her home in Kuddi panchayat in the Bhattiyat subdivision. The animal had mauled her face. Family members rushed to the site after hearing her screams and rushed her to the Civil Hospital, Chowari. The victim is currently under treatment at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda. Kuddi panchayat pradhan Kiran Bala confirmed that the Forest Department has provided Rs 10,000 as immediate relief to Devi and assured further support.

In yet another incident, a villager from Hangoi village in the Salooni subdivision came face-to-face with a bear while guarding his maize fields at night. Hem Raj, who was armed only with a stick, struck the animal in self-defence. Other villagers working nearby rushed in, creating loud noises that forced the bear to retreat.

About a month ago, Pyaru Ram of Finderu village was attacked by a black bear near Siddh Mandir while he was on way to Killar. The bear inflicted deep wounds on his head and body with its claws and he received 60-70 stitches.

Karyuni panchayat pradhan Balbir Thakur has appealed to the Pangi administration and Forest Department to provide immediate relief to the families and adopt preventive measures to curb the growing threat from wild bears.

With its dense forests and rich biodiversity, Chamba district is home to both Himalayan black bear and brown bear. While these species usually remain in the wild, shrinking habitats and the lure of crops like maize and apple often drive them into villages, leading to frequent human-animal encounters.