Wild animals and reptiles are not amongst the very first things that pertain to the mind of outsiders when considering Kashmir.
But Kashmir, like the remainder of the nation, has an issue of human-animal disputes, which just gets worse.
And that has actually kept Aaliya Mir, a wildlife conservationist, on her toes for over one-and-a-half years.
Started dealing with animals as a trainee
Aaliya, the Programme Head and Education Officer at Wildlife SOS, is likewise Kashmir’s initially female wildlife rescuer.
A double postgraduate in Science and Mathematics, Aaliya began associating herself with the NGO as a volunteer when she was still a trainee.
“It was my partner, who is a vet, who opened this world to me. He has actually worked carefully with Wildlife SOS and likewise presented me to this field. Around 2004, I began offering with Wildlife SOS for things like projects, charity events and looking after roaming animals. I signed up with the NGO as a full-time worker in 2006,” Aaliya informed Indiatimes.
It was likewise around the time when human-animal dispute, mainly including bears, was increasing in the valley, with losses on both sides.
“In 2006 January, a bear that wandered off into human environment was killed. It was an occurrence that shook me to the core. One of our very first works was a study to discover the reasons for the boost in human-animal dispute and its mitigation. In 2006, we likewise introduced our full-fledged work to rescue and restore hurt animals,” she said.
Kashmir’s fist female snake rescuer
Since then, Aaliya has actually rescued Asiatic black bears, Himalayan brown bears, birds, leopards and other mammals.
But she is best understood for her deal with snakes. Over the years, she has actually rescued snakes from the most not likely locations, such as cooking areas, yards, gardens and toilets of homes, federal government structures and workplaces, school and university properties, and from tires and engines of lorries, among others.
One specific circumstances made headings when the Wildlife SOS group, led by her, rescued a Levantine viper – an extremely poisonous snake – from the then Chief Minister’s residence in an hour-long operation and securely launched it back into the wild.
“This person was among the heaviest vipers that we had actually experienced and weighed around 2 kg,” Aaliya said.
Overcoming the worry of snakes
She, nevertheless, confessed that it wasn’t simple a simple task, particularly in the early days, to conquer the worry of snakes and wild animals.
“Once you start working carefully with these animals and reptiles and learn more about them more, the worry will disappear. I have actually viewed bears, leopards, snakes, and birds up close, and they provide me an unique sensation. I think that the Almighty has actually offered me an opportunity to serve these animals,” Aaliya said.
Kashmir’s growing snake issue
According to her, residents do not have awareness about snakes as they were not this widespread in the valley till just recently.
“Snakes are cold-blooded animals, and very few types were discovered in Kashmir till just recently. But due to quick urbanisation and modification in weather conditions, we are seeing increasingly more snakes, consisting of poisonous and non-venomous ones,” she said.
Human-leopard dispute in Kashmir
It is not simply snakes; the human-leopard and human-bear disputes are increasing throughout Kashmir.
2022 was among the worst years on record concerning the human-leopard dispute in the valley.
Aaliya as soon as again explained the modification in the landscape in the valley for the increase in human-leopard dispute.
“The landscape here is altering quickly, and it is leading to more cases of human-animal disputes, which are now not simply restricted to the fringe locations, however in cities too. Even in the metropolitan locations here, the leopards still can discover shelter and they mainly feed upon roaming dogs, which are discovered in plenty,” she explained.
Creating awareness to minimize human-animal dispute
As the Education Officer at Wildlife SOS, Aaliya’s work likewise includes producing awareness about human-animal disputes and mitigation amongst residents.
“In the preliminary study itself, we had actually discovered that though they had actually been coping with these animals, the awareness amongst residents is extremely low. We have actually been running substantial species-specific awareness programs to minimize these disputes,” she said.
Proving skeptics incorrect and ending up being a motivation
Over the years, Aaliya, through her work, has actually acquired the self-confidence of those who were at first hesitant, consisting of a few of her associates and residents.
Today she likewise leads the group and handles 2 bear rescue centres in Dachigam and Pahalgam, which house 8 bears, consisting of both Asiatic Black bears and Himalayan Brown bears.
In May 2021, Wildlife SOS introduced a wildlife rescue helpline under her management.
“My operate in this field has actually absolutely assisted in altering the point of view that this was a male domain. It wasn’t simple, however I have actually had the ability to participate in all type of activities, consisting of rescue, rehab, field studies, and awareness programs like any other male associate. It was tough and motivating at the exact same time,” Aaliya, who was just recently felicitated with an award in acknowledgment of her efforts on the International Day of Forests by Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, said.
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