Uttarakhand: More deaths occurred due to snake bites, not leopard attacks… shocking report came

After the recent two attacks in Dehradun, the Forest Department conducted an intensive search operation in Canal Road and surrounding areas in search of Guldar. According to the Forest Department, more than 40 forest workers from DFO to Forest Guard searched more than 30 hectares of forest for eight hours. But Guldar was nowhere to be found. On one hand, the Forest Department is sweating over these discussions.

On the other hand, according to the latest report of the Forest Department, the reason for most human deaths is not the attacks of guldars and elephants. The number of human deaths due to snake bites is high. However, according to the report, the number of human deaths due to snake bites has fallen in the year 2023.

Know how many deaths occurred in Uttarakhand year after year

The Wildlife Human Conflict Report of the last three years shows that 85 deaths occurred due to snake bites. At the same time, there have been 63 deaths due to leopard attacks, 35 deaths due to tiger attacks and 27 deaths due to elephant attacks. Apart from this, there have been 3 deaths due to bear attacks. Maximum 369 people have been injured due to snake bites. According to the report, in 2023, 66 people lost their lives and 317 were injured in attacks by wild animals. In the year 2022, 82 people were killed and 325 were injured. In the year 2021, there were 71 deaths and 361 injuries.

There will be less deaths in 2023 – Chief Wildlife Officer

Talking to Aaj Tak, Chief Wildlife Officer Sameer Sinha said that if you look at the figures, these attacks have reduced this year. Most human deaths have occurred not due to guldar attacks but due to snake bites. At the same time, the Forest Department is continuously monitoring. People do not need to be afraid.

In case of any incident, you can call our toll free number. Along with this, the Forest Department is constituting a Wildlife Human Conflict Reduction Cell, in which the data of all the attacks that have taken place since the formation of Uttarakhand will be assessed. Apart from this, modern gadgets will be provided at the division level to prevent attacks by wild animals and to help in tracking wildlife.

Meanwhile, Forest Department head Anoop Malik said that human population is increasing. Along with this, the number of forest life is still increasing. Therefore, it is natural for forest life to come into residential areas and that is why these attacks are also big.

Forest Department is taking these steps to deal with this

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had summoned Forest Department officials regarding the increasing human-wildlife conflict. During this, he had given strict instructions to take necessary steps. After this, the Forest Department informed 122 veterinarians across the state to provide assistance in human-wildlife conflict resolution.

Forest Human Conflict Mitigation Committee has been formed and tranquilizing guns, annihilators, rescue equipment, drones, camera traps, light traps, satellite radio collars, solar lights etc. are being provided at the division level. At the same time, 65 quick response teams have been prepared and volunteer force has been prepared from 548 villages.

314 percent increase in the number of tigers in Uttarakhand

At the same time, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of tigers, which is a relief news for wildlife lovers. It has been said in the report that the number of tigers has increased from 178 in 2006 to 560 in 2022. There has been an increase of 314% in the last 16 years. The number of tigers in Corbett Tiger Reserve has increased from 137 in 2006 to 260 in 2022, which is the highest in the country and the world.

Number of leopards increased, number of monkeys decreased

The leopard population across the state is estimated to increase from 2,335 in 2008 to 3,115 in 2022. This is an increase of about 33.4%. Snow leopard numbers are expected to increase from 86 in 2016 to 124 in 2022, an increase of 44.2% in 6 years. The population of monkeys has decreased from 1,46,423 in 2015 to 1,10,840 in 2021.