Gujarat remains an ecological delight, with vast pockets of grasslands housing hyenas, lions, and other wildlife animals. The decline in certain species like the Indian bustard and the Asiatic wild ass, among others, conflicts with the natural habitat the state is blessed with. Now, it has emerged that the sloth bear population in Gujarat is under severe threat. According to data published by a daily, the sloth bear population in the state has increased by just 4.4% in seven years. The figures were confirmed by a census carried out by the forest department. The rise in the bear population — from 343 in 2016 to 358 in 2023 — is the lowest for an endangered species in the state. The daily highlighted that rate of increase between 2011 (293 bears) and 2016 (343) was an impressive 22%.
For instance, last year, it was reported that while the Asiatic lions in Gujarat were rising, the state witnessed a 70.94% fall in the donkey population.
Officials are surprised that Narmada (78.26%), Panchmahal (50%) and Dahod (5.61%) districts registered declines. The bear population rose by 25 in Banaskantha and 12 in Sabarkantha, the daily reported.
In 2016, Dahod, Chhota Udepur and Narmada had 184 sloth bears but so far this year the number dropped to 167.
Nishith Dharaiya, chairman of the expert group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was quoted as saying, “The growth rate is acceptable but the forest department and NGOs working on the sloth bear must focus on areas where they are found and raise awareness levels among people to avoid man-animal conflict.”
The forest department has called for fresh conservation measures, inspired by an Isro study. The Isro study has provided details of conflict zones. The corridors to connect habitats are identified, so that they reduce or eliminate human-bear interaction.
The forest department has been focusing on preserving lions, the daily added, but it’s time blackbucks, wild asses, sloth bears and other endangered species get as much attention.
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