Concerned over an unusually high number of incidents of Asiatic black bear attacks in Himachal, the state's Forest Department will undertake a study on changes in their hibernation pattern.
Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata has been roped in to undertake the study to create ethogram during hibernation and non-hibernating period of black bears in Himachal. The black bears will be fitted with radio collars to track their real-time movement and location.
After an increase in the incidents of black bear attacks on humans and animals in winter season, the wildlife experts have expressed concerns that the black bears are hibernating for shorter periods of time due to various reasons. Experts have blamed the factors like erratic weather patterns due to climate change, human interference in animal habitat, lack of food before the winter among others for the change in hibernation pattern of black bears.
Himachal Principal Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Archana Sharma while talking to The Pioneer said, “The Department and Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata will jointly conduct the study on changing behaviour of black bears. This would be the first such study to be conducted by the Department on black bears. Earlier, the black bear sightings were reported in human habitations in the summer season but over the years, their sightings are also reported in winters indicating a change in their hibernation pattern."
An approval has been given by the Centre to attach collars with a small radio transmitter on black bears for the study, she said. Anil Thakur, Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) said that the entire state will be covered under the joint study of the Department and ZSI.
This will be a two years long study to understand the changing behaviour of black bears and reasons for the same, he added.
While the study was proposed to begin last year, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 triggered lockdown.
At present, there is no data with the Himachal Forest Department regarding the population of black bears in the state. A separate study is also proposed to compile baseline population data of Asiatic black bear and common leopards in the hill state and understand the nature and extent of human-wildlife conflict focussed on these two species.
Asiatic black bears are listed as vulnerable species by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). In Himachal, these large carnivores are mainly found in areas namely Ani in Kullu, Rampur Bushahr and Sarahan in Shimla, Barot in Mandi, higher reaches of Sirmaur, Bharmour and Pangi in Chamba district.
The black bear found in the upper reaches of Himachal normally hibernates to survive harsh winters when food and water are scarcer in the wild.
However, the wildlife experts have pointed out that the black bears are now active for a couple of winter months and some even staying active through the winter making them more aggressive.
Over the years, the incidents of attack on humans and domestic animals by black bears have increased in the hill state. Last month, a black bear attacked a woman in Mcleodganj in Kangra district leaving her seriously injured. This was reportedly the second attack of a black bear in Mcleodganj in the recent past.
The incidents of bear attacks on humans and domestic animals have also been reported in the months of November and December in the past few years in Himachal.
