Wild bear scare in Pithoragarh lower valleys
Wild bear scare in Pithoragarh lower valleys
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Dec 8
The scare of wild bears has now reached lower valley town of Thal in Didihat sub- division of Pithoragarh district as the women from villages nearby Thal market, have ceased to go to forests to collect fodder for their animal after the bears were seen frequently on ways to forests.
“The sighting of wild bears near villages of Bhatigaon, Heepa, Darmoli, Chausala, Leparthi and Adkhet, has resulted into panic amongst village women who have ceased to go to jungle,” said Manoj Pathak, a villager of Bhatigaon.
“The bears are not only creating scare amongst people but also damaging ripe citrus fruit. The bears are destroying fruits to eat, “said Pathak.
The village women said that their inability to go to forest to collect fuel and fodder is to affect their future life as they traditionally collect fodder and dry wood fuel for their use year long.”The bear came on my way ahead of me suddenly when I, was returning from Berinag, we had to made big noises to make the bears leave the road last evening,” said Kala Karki and Sarita Karki, women from Chausala village.
Chanda Mehra, Range officer of Berinag range of Pithoragarh forest division has said that she has sent a team of forest officials to aware the villagers and take pre cautions from wild bears. “We have also taken steps to save villagers from bear attacks if it happens,” said Chanda Merra, the forest officer.
