India, June 24 -- In Kashmir, encounters between Asiatic black bears and people are rising as habitats shrink and apple orchards expand closer to forest areas.

Farmers, shepherds and orchard workers say bear attacks are leaving survivors injured, traumatised and unable to return to work.

Conservationists link the conflict to land-use change, poor waste management, warmer winters and disrupted hibernation patterns.

Wildlife officials say control rooms, compensation and awareness programmes are in place, but communities living near forests continue to face daily risk.

In the summer of 2024, Bashir Ahmed Chopan, 26, was working in his apple orchard in Watshan Manigam, a rural area in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, when a black be...