The fourth bear attack reported from Doda district, in which 14-year-old sustained serious injuries to his head, face and back, is not an isolated incident. It is a stark reminder of a growing man–animal conflict that the administration has failed to address with urgency and foresight. While doctors at GMC Doda have stabilised the boy and referred him to Government Medical College, Jammu, the question remains: how many such close shaves will it take for the system to wake up? Hospital authorities have confirmed that this is the fourth such case reported in a short span of time. That alone should have triggered a coordinated response from wildlife authorities, civil administration and police. Instead, the pattern is being treated as a series of unfortunate events rather than a clear indicator of structural failures, be it in habitat management, early-warning systems, or public awareness. Doda and several other hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir have seen increased movement of wild animals near human habitations. Experts have long linked such incursions to shrinking habitats, unplanned construction, road cutting, and the gradual erosion of traditional buffer zones between forests and villages. Yet, comprehensive surveys, public advisories, and preventive measures remain largely missing or cosmetic. The response cannot be limited to appeals issued after every attack. When hospital authorities ask people to inform them about such incidents at the earliest, it underlines another gap: villagers often do not know whom to contact, how quickly help can arrive, and what immediate first-aid measures can save lives and prevent disability. A functional, round-the-clock response mechanism: integrating wildlife, health, and emergency services—is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The administration must urgently map vulnerable areas, deploy wildlife staff and rescue teams in identified hotspots, and launch sustained awareness campaigns in schools and panchayats. Simple community-level interventions—like training volunteers, installing warning systems, managing waste that attracts animals, and improving lighting around forest-fringe settlements- can significantly reduce risk. Equally important is ensuring timely and dignified treatment and compensation for victims and their families. A young boy being shifted from Doda to Jammu is not just a medical referral; it reflects the fragile health infrastructure in remote districts that struggle during any emergency, whether natural or man-made. The repeated bear attacks in Doda must serve as a wake-up call. Man–animal conflict is no longer a distant environmental debate; it is a daily reality for our rural poor. Unless the government moves from reactive statements to a concrete, time-bound action plan, such incidents will continue, and the cost will be paid by those least responsible and least protected.
