Stakeholder Workshop on Human–Brown Bear Conflict Held in Zanskar
17/09/2026
Zanskar,Ladakh,September 17 (KIP)- In what is being seen as the first initiative of its kind since the formation of the new Zanskar district, WWF-India, in coordination with the Wildlife, Sheep Husbandry, Forest and Animal Husbandry Departments, organised a multi-stakeholder workshop titled "Understanding Human–Brown Bear Interactions and Sympatric Wildlife in Zanskar."
The session brought together Lambardars from several villages, the District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Zanskar, the Principal of Government Degree College (GDC), Zanskar, departmental officials and representatives of WWF-India. Deliberations centred on human–brown bear conflict, losses of livestock and possible mitigation measures. A presentation by the WWF-India team on bear conflict and community experiences was followed by an open session in which local representatives raised issues and offered suggestions.
Mr. Muhammad Kazim of WWF-India read out a message from Mr. Ankit Sinha, IFS, Wildlife Warden, Kargil, who underlined that conflict between people and wildlife can be reduced through joint effort by livestock owners, local representatives, the public and government departments, allowing communities and wildlife to coexist in harmony and peace. Mr. Rohit Rattan, Landscape Coordinator, WWF-India, gave an overview of the organisation's conservation work in Ladakh and put forward suggestions for strengthening community-based conservation.
Dr. Asif, DSHO, Zanskar, Dr. Anwar of the Animal Husbandry Department, and representatives of the Wildlife and Forest Departments responded to the concerns raised by the community. Dr. Asif affirmed that the Sheep Husbandry Department stands firmly committed to the welfare of the people of Zanskar and will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with livestock owners in safeguarding their herds and their livelihoods. He further assured to take-up the matter with the concerned departments for streamlining livestock compensation cases.