Srinagar: A software Engineer from Srinagar, who lost his mother in a wild animal attack years ago, has launched a free nonprofit digital platform called WildPing to alert communities about nearby wildlife sightings and help prevent similar tragedies.
Mudassir Ali, who resides in Theed Harwan on the city outskirts, said his mother was attacked by a wild animal just steps away from their front door, an experience that stayed with him and later inspired him to develop a community-based warning system.
The initiative comes amid continuing concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the area. Ali said three people have been seriously injured in similar wild animal attacks in his locality over the past 30 days.
WildPing allows residents to report wildlife sightings and sends alerts to people within a radius of either 3 km or 5 km of the reported location. Users can also monitor multiple locations, including their homes, farms and their children’s schools.
The platform features a live map showing recently reported wildlife sightings, allowing residents to check whether there have been reports near areas they regularly visit.
Ali said the platform is completely free and nonprofit, with no advertisements or subscription charges. It is browser-based and does not require users to download an application from an app store.
He stressed that WildPing is intended as a community safety tool and does not replace the role of the Forest Department, emergency services or other official agencies. The platform also cannot guarantee that every wildlife threat will be detected or reported.
According to Ali, even a short warning could make a difference in a dangerous situation. A 10-minute alert, he said, could give someone enough time to remain indoors, change their route or return home safely.
Ali has urged residents to use the platform, report wildlife sightings and share information about locations where animals have been spotted. He has also appealed to officials, volunteers and conservation groups to support efforts aimed at improving community awareness and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
