Srinagar: Experts have concerned over rising population growth of pigs in Kashmir saying it will have a bad impact on the ecosystem.
Wild boar or pig has been sighted in various parts of Kashmir in the recent years.
On Sunday, a dead wild boar was found at a graveyard in the Boniyar area of Baramulla district.
Range Officer Wildlife Department Baramulla, Altaf Koul claimed over 100 wild boars (pigs) are present in Baramulla district alone.
While Dr Bilal Ahmad Bhat who teaches at Zoology Department of University of Kashmir said pig a not a native animal and is not good for ecosystem in Kashmir.
“It is not good for ecosystem especially for our native species. This animal should not grow here,” Dr Bilal told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Retired Professor of Centre Of Research For Development (CORD) University of Kashmir, G A Bhat said the non-native species should not grow in Kashmir.
“Exotic species should not come here. This animal (pig) most reside in residential area and eat waste. Religious point of view, people won’t like its presence here. Both exotic plants and animals should not come here which is not good for ecosystem,” Bhat told KINS.
Wild boar has also been sighted in the Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in recent years. In 2010, a dead wild pig was also sighted in Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary of north Kashmir by a team of researchers when they were surveying for Markhor.
The species was considered locally extinct even from the Dachigam National Park, and according to the State Wildlife Department, was not sighted from the park and its adjoining areas since 1984. The sighting of the wild pig in Dachigam after a gap of about 30 years however proves that it still survives in Dachigam, a 2018 research paper says.(KINS)
Wildlife team sent to Uri to catch pigs
A day after news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) reported that over 100 pigs are present in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, authorities on Tuesday sent a team of the Wildlife Department to catch non-native animals.
On Sunday, a dead wild boar (pig) was found at a graveyard in the Boniyar area of Baramulla district. The presence of wild boar or pig, which is not a native animal of Kashmir, has created a scare among people.
Range Officer Wildlife Department Baramulla, Altaf Koul claimed over 100 wild boars (pigs) are present in Baramulla district alone.
SDM Uri Baramulla Riyaz Ahmad Malik Tuesday said they have called a team of the Wildlife Department.
“The team will be camping in the area to catch pigs. We don’t want to harm them (pigs) but will be chased away,” Malik told KINS.
Range Officer Wildlife Department Baramulla, Altaf Koul Monday claimed over 100 wild boars are present in Baramulla district alone.
“They (wild boars) mostly reside near the Line of Control. They have tusk teeth and can attack people. The wild boar is a wild species of pig. If anyone found dead wild boar anywhere, this animal should be burnt immediately to contain the spread of disease,” Altaf told KINS.
He said Kashmir being a Muslim dominated society won’t accept the presence of this animal. “People won’t allow these animals to go in their areas. These could be sighted in Kazinag National Park, Limber Wildlife Sanctuary, and Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary. There has been a rapid increase in their population in north Kashmir,” he said.
Wild boar has also been sighted in the Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in recent years. In 2010, a dead wild pig was also sighted in Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary of north Kashmir by a team of researchers when they were surveying for Markhor.(KINS)