The rapid denudation of forests has increased human-wildlife interactions. So, events such as a leopard entering a densely populated area, or a venomous snake slithering through the narrow lanes of a city, have become common. Usually, in situations like these, we consider animals at fault. But little do we realize that our deeds have rendered them homeless and compelled them to find shelter in an alien habitat. Let alone we think about saving them!
But some people think differently. A former Math teacher turned animal savior, Aaliya Mir from Kashmir, is one of those few people on earth, genuinely concerned about wildlife and their welfare. With the help of Wildlife SOS, a popular NGO in wildlife conservation, this Srinagar-resident has been rescuing and rehabilitating the rare and threatened fauna of Kashmir for almost two decades. Let us explore more about Aaliya.
What drove Aaliya toward wildlife rescue?
Aaliya has always been passionate about wildlife. However, the sight of a bear being burnt and dragged across the city shook her and encouraged her to do something to save wild creatures. Her husband, who is a wildlife veterinarian, was thrilled with her interest in this area. To a significant extent, his passion and zeal toward wildlife influenced her to devote her energy to wildlife conservation.
Aaliya became a Wildlife SOS volunteer in 2002 when she was in Delhi. She joined as a staff member and began working for Kashmir’s wildlife welfare. Today, after almost a decade and a half of unwavering efforts and service with the organization, Aaliya serves as the Project Manager and Education Officer for Wildlife SOS. Additionally, she leads the organization’s conservation program in Jammu and Kashmir.
Agile Aaliya and Team!
Aaliya and the team are always prepared to attend any SOS call in events of human-wildlife conflicts. Along with her team, she reaches to rescue wild animals, regardless of their shape and size. To date, they’ve saved numerous animals such as bears, leopards, snakes, turtles, raptors, tiny birds, etc. Additionally, Aaliya conducts awareness programs in various areas and educational institutions to promote tolerance towards wildlife.
Besides the above, Aaliya monitors rescue and rehabilitation facilities in Pahalgam and Dachigam, which are currently home to six Asiatic black bears and two Himalayan brown bears saved from conflict situations.
A Few Rescue Instances Handled by Aaliya
The courageous Aaliya continues to be instrumental in saving wildlife across various situations. Let us look at a few.
Rescuing a Leopard in a Densely Populated Area and Amidst Snowfall!
Once, people spotted a leopard roaming on the streets of Bagh-E-Mehtab, a highly densely populated area in Srinagar. Capturing the leopard wasn’t a cakewalk. The animal, known for its agility, slipped several times. Additionally, the continuous snowfall kept contributing to the team’s challenges. Twenty people, including Aaliya, her team, and the state’s Wildlife Protection Department, worked relentlessly for five days to save it. Eventually, the team tracked the animal with its fecal samples and pug marks.
Saving a Non-Native Cobra from the Airport Area
In another incident, Aaliya and the team saved a cobra from the Apron Area of Srinagar Airport. The cobra wasn’t a Kashmir native. Hence, the team concluded that it must have entered the aircraft from another part of the country. The team caught the snake efficiently and released it accordingly.
Some Other Incidents
Earlier this year in June, Aaliya got a call to rescue a snake from the bushes around the Gupkar area of Srinagar. With its expertise, agility, and passion for saving wild animals, the team saved the snake in no time and released it into its natural habitat. In another incident, the 43-year-old Aaliya used a fire service ladder to save an injured barn owl stuck on Chinar, Kashmir’s heritage tree. The scared creature was entangled in the tree’s branches. Somehow, with all her wildlife intellect, and experience, Aaliya pulled it off.
Aaliya and Team’s Recent Rescue Statistics
According to an article published on The Better India, in the past three years, Aaliya and the team have rescued two turtles, two leopards, three bears, six monkeys, 16 raptors, and a whopping 88 reptiles!
(Source – https://www.thebetterindia.com/251019/wildlife-rescue-kashmir-woman-teacher-leopard-bear-aaliya-mir-math-teacher-animal-human-conflict-yos191/)
Animals are a part of our co-existence. They also need love, affection, and care to survive. Unfortunately, there aren’t many like Aaliya who understand this. But we hope, with increasing awareness and the need and urge to save animals, we will see many like her evolving in the future.
