Are villagers in Nainital setting forest fires to scare away big cats?

NAINITAL: As the prevailing dry weather is fueling forest fires across Uttarakhand, villagers gripped by fear of big cats in parts of Nainital are allegedly setting wildfires themselves — not out of neglect nor to harm the environment, but to drive away tigers and leopards that stray into human settlements.

“In areas such as Pahadpani, Okhalkanda and Dhari, increasing instances of human–wildlife conflict has forced the administration to close schools, advise people not to enter the forest or step out at night. Villagers here say wild animals, particularly leopards, are frequently sighted on the outskirts of villages, roads and even near their houses. With their livelihoods deeply dependent on forests, people are left with no other choice but to light fires in nearby jungles to keep the predators away,” said environmentalist Chandan Nayal.

Nayal said, “Officials advise people not to enter the forest, but even those who avoid entering forests are not safe as leopards stray into villages and even enter houses. Most village roads cut through forests. Also, many villages do not have proper roads, forcing people to walk through forest trails to buy rations or sell their products. How can anyone just stay locked inside his/her house?”

The forest department, already grappling with manpower shortage, is now facing the dual challenge of controlling forest fires and tracking potentially dangerous wildlife. Nainital DFO Aakash Gangwar told TOI that fire response teams are deployed as soon as wildfire incidents are reported, and villagers also support the fire-fighting efforts. Those found deliberately setting fires will be dealt with strictly, Gangwar said.

Nayal said locals gheraoed the SDM of Dhari and the DFO of Nainital on Jan 19, demanding immediate and concrete safety measures. “Villagers are living in constant fear. We have clearly told the administration to put robust systems in place to protect people from wild animals, or else we will be forced to launch an aggressive protest,” Nayal said.

Former minister of state Harish Paneru said, “In hill villages, only those who can’t migrate remain. People are staying out of compulsion, not choice. The forest department is not taking the issue of man–animal conflict seriously. When there is no security and no system in place, a person will do whatever it takes to save his life. If proper policies and safety measures are implemented, people will not take such extreme steps.”

With board exams round the corner, closure of schools adversely impacted students, Paneru said, adding villages on the fringes of forests lack basic infrastructure such as toilets, streetlights and minimum safety measures.

Jagdish Negi, a villager, told TOI that for generations hill communities were known as custodians of nature, but when survival itself is at stake, ideals collapse. The unfolding crisis in Uttarakhand highlights how climate change, administrative neglect and rising man-animal conflict are converging into a humanitarian and environmental emergency — one where frightened villagers are pitted against both wild animals and an unresponsive system.