After losing his mother to a bear attack, Kashmiri engineer fights back with tech

Srinagar, Nov 7 — After his mother was tragically killed in a bear attack in Kashmir, Indian software engineer Mudasir Ali has transformed his grief into action by developing an online early warning system. The platform, known as Wildping, enables people in the Himalayan region to report sightings of animals like Himalayan black bears and leopards, alerting nearby individuals.

The 33-year-old launched the free website on the first anniversary of his mother's death, which occurred among at least 50 fatalities and hundreds of maulings due to wildlife attacks in the territory since 2023, according to official records.

Ali explained that he has always desired to utilize his skills to create a technology that would help people living in regions prone to such incidents. "I have gone through this pain, and I don’t want anyone else to experience it," he expressed, while monitoring sightings on the platform. The growing issue of human-wildlife conflict across the Himalayas is attributed to deforestation and dwindling habitats, driving people into closer proximity with wild animals.

According to the site, Wildping won't eradicate conflict but can provide families with crucial minutes, such as keeping children indoors, avoiding walks, or seeking assistance when a bear approaches.

Users can establish alert zones around specific locations, such as homes, farms, schools, or walking paths. If a bear is detected within the designated area, users receive an alert on their phone. In Kashmir, human-wildlife conflict has been exacerbated by the long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947, which has led to multiple wars and an ongoing insurgency.

The region has seen the deployment of extensive military infrastructure, disrupting animal movement and potentially increasing encounters with humans.

The Himalayan black bear, responsible for over 80% of wildlife-related deaths and attacks in the area, is the predominant species. Wildping, available in English, Hindi, and Urdu, has garnered approximately 9,000 visitors in less than a month since its inception, with numerous returning users. Yasir Iqbal, a 34-year-old resident, shared that he has reported bear sightings using the app, with many others in his village also utilizing it.

He emphasized its value in keeping communities informed about the presence of wild animals, potentially saving lives.