27-05-2023 : In Banihal town, J&K’s Ramban district, a black bear found its way onto the grounds of a government-run school in an unexpected turn of events. A joint rescue effort by the police and wildlife department was launched as a result of the event, which happened on Saturday morning just before the arrival of the students.
The presence of the bear caused a temporary disruption as the students were not allowed inside the premises until nearly an hour past their scheduled time. Officials discovered that the bear had managed to escape by taking advantage of the thick vegetation in the surrounding area.
At around 9 am, locals in Banihal noticed the black bear entering the premises of the government higher secondary school for boys. It is believed that the bear had sought shelter in a nearby government building during the night. Upon receiving the information, the police and wildlife protection teams swiftly arrived at the scene in an attempt to capture the bear. However, the bear could not be found after being initially spotted near the school laboratory.
The joint teams have now been deployed throughout the area to track down the bear and ensure the safety of the public. The principal of the school, Abdul Rashid Giri, confirmed that the students were eventually allowed to attend their classes after a delay of approximately one hour due to the presence of the wild bear.
The frequent reports of bear sightings in the town and its surrounding areas, notably along the national highway between Jammu and Srinagar, alarmed the people. Local residents emphasized the need for the appropriate department to act quickly to capture these bears since they constitute a major risk to the public’s safety.
The incident has heightened awareness regarding the potential risks of wildlife encounters in the region, prompting calls for proactive measures to address such situations and prevent any harm to the community.