Ganderbal, July 17: Panic spread in Sonamarg after a bear was spotted moving through the busy market area during the night, raising fresh concerns over the increasing entry of wild animals into human settlements.

Local residents said the bear appeared to be searching for food before moving away from the market and disappearing into the nearby area. No injuries or property damage were reported.

Residents linked the repeated presence of bears and other wildlife in the area to the accumulation of garbage in and around the market. They said poorly managed waste could be attracting wild animals towards populated areas.

The locals urged authorities to improve garbage collection and ensure proper waste disposal to discourage wildlife from entering human habitations. They also called for increased surveillance by the Wildlife Department in vulnerable areas and preventive measures to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict, especially during the tourist season when Sonamarg receives a large number of visitors.