Experts have raised alarm bells over common sighting of brown bears in human habitations in Kashmir which they say is happening due to rapid urbanisation. The spotting of critically endangered Himalayan brown bears in parts of Kashmir in human habitations has somehow delighted wildlife experts who say it indicates rising population of the rare species.
However they blamed the rapid development and increased tourism activities in high altitudes which has significantly disrupted the habitat of the bear, forcing it to venture close to human habitation for survival.
The brown bear is the biggest animal in Kashmir and an adult weighs more than 2.5 quintals. It is found at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,500 metres mostly above the tree line. It’s species are found across the world, but its Himalayan counterpart in the northern mountainous areas of India and Pakistan, is critically endangered. In sub-continent it (brown bear) is distributed in Pakistan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
According to wildlife experts, the brown bears feed on insects, small crustaceans, alpine bulbs and roots of plants, shoots of young grasses, domestic goats, sheep, and voles. They feed actively from 1-2 hours before sunrise and again for several hours in the late afternoon and evening. They are nocturnal, and their sense of smell is acutely developed and believed to be their principal means of finding food.
Wildlife conservationists in Kashmir have noted increasing sightings and spread of the brown bear in the last two to three years in a few of its habitats including the hills of Sonamarg, drass, Kupwara, Pahalgam, Pir-Panjal range and Gurez area of Bandipora district.
A wildlife official said that such animals have been found in large numbers in human habitation for many years which is an alarming situation. “Last year, two such animals were sighted in Dumail area of Baltal near Amarnath cave shrine, besides three were sighted in Drass sector of Ladakh region,” he said.
“Earlier, two bears were sighted in Pahalgam while evidence is also coming from other areas where the animal was spotted, ” he said, adding that the number of these animals was very good even before that but they never came to the residential areas.
Recently, the official said that the bear was also spotted in Shahgund village of the Bandipora district. However, wildlife department successfully managed to caught animal. Also several critically-endangered Himalayan Brown Bears were sighted in Gurez Tehsil.
He said that the brown bears were sighted in Khandyal village of Gurez while another similar bear was seen crossing the Kishanganga dam site. The wildlife official believes that the latest sighting indicates the population of the endangered animal is increasing in J&K.
He said that his team had to trek a difficult border terrain for 3 hours to spot these animals but now they are also commonly found near human settlements.
Aaliya Mir, project head, Wildlife SOS, said that the rapid development of the area and increased tourism has significantly disrupted the habitat of the Himalayan brown bear, forcing it to venture close to human habitation for survival. “Numerous bears started relying on trash and food waste generated by humans at campsites, hotels, and restaurants for sustenance,” she said.
Aliya while citing destruction of its habitat due to massive construction, increased military and nomad footprint, besides trekking destinations, says that such animals have been seen in residential areas for last few years now. She said that there have been frequent sightings of the brown bears in the cropland, market places, hotel premises, security camps, and residential areas.
Mir futher said that the more we interfere with the habitat of these animals, the more it will come down to the residential areas. The survival of the brown bear depends on the availability of suitable habitat, food, and water in the sanctuary, she said, adding that numerous bears started relying on trash and food waste generated by humans at campsites, hotels, and restaurants for sustenance.
