Madasir Ali, an Indian software engineer, launched an online early warning system called Wildping after losing his mother in a bear attack in Kashmir. This free website allows users to report sightings of animals such as Himalayan black bears and leopards, thereby alerting others nearby to potential dangers. Ali launched this project in October, on the anniversary of his mother's death.
Statistics on Wildlife Attacks in Kashmir
According to official data, Madasir's mother was one of at least 50 people who have lost their lives due to wildlife attacks in the region since the beginning of 2023, with hundreds more having been attacked. Madasir stated, "I have experienced this pain and do not want anyone else to feel it." He created Wildping with the aim of preventing such incidents.
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How the Wildping System Works
Users can set warning areas around locations such as homes, farms, schools, and paths frequented by children, and if an animal is spotted nearby, alerts are sent to their mobile phones. Ali noted that this system alone cannot stop conflicts, but it can give families a few minutes to keep children indoors or call for help.
Problems arising from human-wildlife conflict are increasingly on the rise throughout the Himalayas. Deforestation and habitat loss have brought humans and animals closer together. In Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, fencing and extensive military deployment have also disrupted animal movements and can lead to increased encounters with humans. Experts say that the Himalayan black bear accounts for over 80% of deaths and wildlife-related attacks in this area.
Wildping is available in English, Hindi, and Urdu and has attracted around 9,000 visitors in less than a month. Many users frequently visit this website. One local resident, Yasser Iqbal, 34, said, "Last week, I spotted a bear and immediately used this app to report it. Many people in our village are now using this system."
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