A three-day workshop on “Mitigate Human-Himalayan Brown Bear conflict through Community Engagement” concluded today here at Baroo, Kargil.The event was organized by the Roots Ladakh, Kargil with the support of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with of district administration and LAHDC.Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan was the Chief Guest on the occasion.Deputy Commissioner and CEO LAHDC, Kargil Vikas Kundal, Advisor to CEC, Mohammad Shafi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Imtayaz Kacho, Headquarter DSP, Ishtyaz A Kacho, Chief Education Officer, Kargil, Mohammad Musa, Assistant Director Information Kargil, Abdul Ahad Bhat, Wildlife Warden, South Kashmir Wildlife Division, Intesar Suhail, Project Lead, WTI Dr Riyaz Ahmed, Field Coordinator Ladakh Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Major Dr Faizal, representatives from various NGOs and prominent citizens attended the workshop.Speaking on the occasion, CEC stressed for preparing a comprehensive proposal on the outcome of workshop regarding the needs, challenges and strategies for Himalayan Brown Bear conservation and conflict mitigation and Draft a policy document for a community-led conservation programme for the Himalayan Brown Bears.
He also emphasized for conservation and preservation of natural habitat and also asked the concerned to put in place the available resources.Thanking the organizers for conducting the workshop in the district, the DC impressed for organizing similar events in the future also by involving local community.Deputy Commissioner and CEO LAHDC, Kargil in his address called for conducting survey and mapping of Himalayan Brown Bear figures in district Kargil. He also underscored the need for organizing more and more seminars, workshops and awareness programmes in educational institutions including colleges in the district.Responding to the demands put forth in the workshop by various speakers, Vikas said that the matter with regard to shortage of staff in Wildlife Department would be taken up with the concerned authorities for early redressal.He said six areas were already identified and proposed for declaring them as Wildlife Sanctuary and the issuance of notification in this regard is under process.Meanwhile, the speakers including Wildlife Warden Intesar Suhail, Project Lead, WTI Dr Riyaz Ahmed, Field Coordinator NCF and Muzammil Hussain underlined the importance of measures to be taken to reduce the incidents with regard to mitigate Human-Himalayan Brown Bear conflict through community engagement.