Drass | May 25, 2025 — In a significant step towards strengthening human-wildlife coexistence, a bear-proof corral was officially handed over today to the community of Azuri Village, Pandrass, by Hon’ble Councillor Mr. Abdul Samad (Upper Constituency), Drass.

This initiative is part of the ongoing Himalayan Brown Bear Conservation Project led by WWF-India in collaboration with local communities and the Wildlife Department, Kargil.

The bear-proof corral is designed to protect livestock and property from bear depredation and is a key component of the broader mitigation strategy to reduce human-bear conflict in the region. Alongside the corral, WWF-India and the Wildlife Department have also provided other conflict mitigation tools, such as ANIDERS and foxlights, in various parts of the Drass Valley.

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Speaking at the occasion, Hon’ble Councillor Mr. Samad appreciated the efforts of WWF-India and the Wildlife Department for their commitment to conserving the Himalayan Brown Bear and enhancing safety for local communities. He urged residents to actively support ongoing conservation efforts and emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of coexistence with wildlife.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Hon’ble Councillor, Lambardar of Pandrass, representatives from WWF-India Ladakh — including Mr. Preet Sharma, Mohd Kazim, and Muzammil Lone — along with local villagers of Pandrass.

This initiative represents a collective step forward in balancing ecological needs with community welfare and continues to set an example of collaborative conservation in Kargil.