Militarization threatens wildlife in Kashmir

Killing of wildlife by troops in the Northern district of Kashmir including Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora is worrying conservationists and wildlife activists.

CJ: mir tariq Wed, Nov 25, 2009 09:58:15 IST

CONCERNED OVER poaching of wild animals in the Valley, wildlife conservationists and the wildlife department have sought immediate attention to control the militarised poaching rampant in northern parts of the Valley.

The killing of wildlife by the troops in the Northern district of Kashmir including Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora is worrying conservationists and wildlife activists.

Conservationists alleged that soldiers are behaving like poachers and are killing wild animals without any reason in the strife torn Valley of Kashmir and during the previous 20 years of conflict troopers were found killing hundreds of wild animals including some species near extinction like the Musk deer.


Wildlife conservationists and spokesperson Kashmir Environmental protection Coordination Organization (KEPCO) Taha Mubashir while commenting on the issue said immense monetary value of animal organs, greed and a breakdown in law and order are motivating illegal hunting which has attracted the armed forces in valley”

Poaching has affected the species which are near extinction. This problem is big and losses are very high and needs immediate attention of central as well as the state government, Taha added.

“The destruction of wildlife by the armed forces is alarming and the wildlife habitat in almost all border areas is under threat as armed forces have erected wired barricades in forests and has bifurcated the habitats thus affecting animals,” conservations said.

“Armed with assault rifles hi-tech communication and other equipments troops here in Kashmir are now acting as commercial poachers targeting Musk deers, snow leopards and other wild animals,” said another wild life conservationists Muhammad Ahasan.

“Troops are killing wild animals like Musk deers, leopards and bear for skins and other valuable body organs,” he said.

Militarization had an adverse affect not only on the human population but on the wild life too said wildlife activists.

Locals in the two border districts of Kupwara, Baramullla band Bandipora said that it is an organized syndicate in which troops have a nexus with local poachers and shepherds.

“The army in nexus with local poachers are killing wild animals and then sell their skin and other valuable body parts in other parts of India,” said Muhammad Ishaq Khan of Gurez, adding “ on the pretext that it is the border line troops have banned the movement in various border areas and are killing animals along with locals poachers.”

Areas hardest hit by militarized poaching include Kupwara, Uri, Machil, Gurez, Bandipora and Lolab Kalroos in the northern parts of the valley.

“Nobody is policing the army and local poachers in places like Gurez where the army has a nexus with local poachers and is running highly organized poaching rackets “said a senior forest officer who did want to be named)

“The army is freely killing Musk deers in Gurez and nobody is here to control it as the area where militarized poaching is rampant people as well as forest officers are not allowed to enter,” an officer said.

Army sources have said that a few greedy officers in nexus with local poachers are killing wild animals and smuggling the skin and body parts to the rest of India from where leopard skins are sold in South Africa.

Concerned over the militarized poaching wild life warden North Kashmir Rouf Ahmed Zargar said “the department is informing concerned higher quarters from time to time about the poaching”.

”Last year in Kupwara I reported a case in which BSF and police were involved, to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police in Kupwara but action has not been taken yet,” he added.

“Armed forces in various border districts are killing wild animals in a nexus with local shepherds and poachers,” said Rouf, adding “troops had disturbed the wildlife habitat by erecting wired barricades in forests.

“We are acting whenever any complaint is being lodged regarding the killing of wild animals by troops but action has to be taken by the higher authorities,” the officer said.