Environment

South Kashmir The costs of coexisting with predatory wildlife

A new study across three protected areas in southern Kashmir recorded 92 livestock losses in two years from predators like the Asiatic black bear and the leopard, resulting in major financial strain for households in the buffer zones. While many respondents in the study expressed a generally positive attitude toward wildlife, without timely compensation and improved livestock protection, there is a risk of retaliatory killing. Habitat restoration, better grazing management, and strong community involvement are key to lasting coexistence. Mongabay India correspondent Sneha Mahale reports 

by Trans World Features May 12, 2025