Karnataka: Census of bears on the anvil

Bengaluru: For the first time, the Karnataka forest department is embarking on a census of sloth bears in the state following increased attacks by them on human beings.

Besides, the department has decided to constitute a committee of experts to study the behaviour of sloth bears and suggest remedies to address the issue. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dr Ravi Ralph told DC that they were worried over the increased attacks on people especially in Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Ballari districts of late. The bear-human conflict has gone up in these districts. “We have had a census of tigers and elephants but not of bears. I think time has come to undertake a count of bears for the next plan of action,” he added. He said bears attack whenever they are outside their terrain out of fear. They get abusive at the sight of human beings. A few years ago, a senior forest officer had a narrow escape when a bear attacked him in Tumakuru.