Man critical after Uttarkashi bear attack

Uttarkashi:A 38-year-old man was critically injured in a bear attack in Raithal village of Uttarkashi on Thursday while he was repairing a water tank behind his house. Harish Kumar, 38, who suffered serious injuries to his jaw and face, was taken to the primary health centre in Bhatwadi, where doctors referred him to the district hospital in Dehradun as his condition deteriorated.Mahendra Pokhriyal, former head of Natin village, said, "Bears previously only attacked at night, but now they are attacking during the day as well. The state has announced that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh will be given to those killed in wildlife attacks. It seems the govt is waiting for a major incident when it should be installing sirens in affected villages to drive the bears away ."Uttarkashi DFO D P Baluni said, "There are plans to install an anider system in bear-infested areas. An animal intrusion detection and repellent system has been ordered with a budget of approximately Rs 5 lakh. As soon as an animal passes in front of this system, the sensor makes a loud noise, scaring it away. Sub-divisional forest officers have also been instructed to mark bear-infested areas."