In a major step towards promoting human-wildlife coexistence, a bear-proof corral was formally handed over to the residents of Azuri Village, Pandrass, by Councillor Abdul Samad (Upper Constituency), Drass, on May 24.

The initiative falls under the Himalayan Brown Bear Conservation Project, led by WWF-India in collaboration with local communities and the Wildlife Department, Kargil.

Specifically designed to protect livestock and property from bear attacks, the corral serves as a crucial component of the region’s broader conflict mitigation strategy. In addition to the corral, WWF-India and the Wildlife Department have also distributed other deterrent tools such as ANIDERS and foxlights across various parts of the Drass Valley.

Speaking on the occasion, Councillor Abdul Samad lauded the efforts of WWF-India and the Wildlife Department for their ongoing commitment to conserving the Himalayan Brown Bear while ensuring the safety of local communities. He urged villagers to support the conservation mission and stressed the importance of cultivating a culture of peaceful coexistence with wildlife.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Lambardar of Pandrass, representatives from WWF-India Ladakh — including Preet Sharma, Mohd Kazim, and Muzammil Lone — as well as local villagers.

The initiative marks a meaningful step forward in balancing ecological preservation with community well-being and serves as a model of collaborative conservation in the Kargil region.