VADODARA: They grew berries around their houses and in fields in Chhota Udepur and relished the fruits. But it was actually love labour lost as the same berries also drew in the dreaded sloth bears to the villages.
Over the past few months, sloth bears have begun frequenting the villages to savour their favourite berries, which sparked a gem of an idea in the foresters. “To avoid such conflicts between humans and bears, we have decided to plant berries in deep forest areas in Chhota Udepur,” said a forest official.
Recently, a resident of Ambakunt village in Pavi Jetpur taluka was attacked by a sloth bear leaving him grievously injured. Forest officials believe that the bear could have been lured by the scent of ripe berries in the village and came face to face with the victim.
The forest department has identified spots where berry plantations can be done. “The berries will be planted around the caves where sloth bears are residing and the path they take daily to stroll around. Also, we will plant berries as well as other fruit plants near the watering holes,” the official added. The forest department expects that the bears would stop venturing in the villages if they get enough food in the forest.
The locals have also been advised by the forest officials not to venture into the forest early in the morning or at dusk to avoid conflict with sloth bears in the dark. The forest department is already working on making the ecological corridor between Jambughoda and Ratanmahal in Dahod safer for sloth bears.
They are studying bear movements, its population in the sanctuaries, water points and what kind of eco-system can give it a good habitat in the natural corridor. The forest department tied up with Hemchandra North Gujarat University, Patan that has helped them understand the habitat of sloth bears and design awareness programmes for the locals.
A team of forest department has been reaching out to the locals and school going students and encouraging avoidance with the species living in the forests.
Over the past few months, sloth bears have begun frequenting the villages to savour their favourite berries, which sparked a gem of an idea in the foresters. “To avoid such conflicts between humans and bears, we have decided to plant berries in deep forest areas in Chhota Udepur,” said a forest official.
Recently, a resident of Ambakunt village in Pavi Jetpur taluka was attacked by a sloth bear leaving him grievously injured. Forest officials believe that the bear could have been lured by the scent of ripe berries in the village and came face to face with the victim.
The forest department has identified spots where berry plantations can be done. “The berries will be planted around the caves where sloth bears are residing and the path they take daily to stroll around. Also, we will plant berries as well as other fruit plants near the watering holes,” the official added. The forest department expects that the bears would stop venturing in the villages if they get enough food in the forest.
The locals have also been advised by the forest officials not to venture into the forest early in the morning or at dusk to avoid conflict with sloth bears in the dark. The forest department is already working on making the ecological corridor between Jambughoda and Ratanmahal in Dahod safer for sloth bears.
They are studying bear movements, its population in the sanctuaries, water points and what kind of eco-system can give it a good habitat in the natural corridor. The forest department tied up with Hemchandra North Gujarat University, Patan that has helped them understand the habitat of sloth bears and design awareness programmes for the locals.
A team of forest department has been reaching out to the locals and school going students and encouraging avoidance with the species living in the forests.
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