Srinagar: Almost 75% of food items consumed by Himalayan brown bears were scavenged from garbage, including plastic carry bags, milk powder, and chocolate wrappers, the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department has found in a study.
The department has carried out an extensive survey on Himalayan Brown bear distribution and feeding patterns between May and October 2021 along with Wildlife SOS—a non-profitable organization.
The official report titled “Himalayan Brown Bear Ecological and Human-Bear Conflict Investigation In Kashmir With Special Reference To Bear Habituation To Garbage Dumps In The Central Wildlife Division” was published recently stating that the Himalayan Brown bears are raiding garbage, and are rapidly becoming accustomed to this consumption, Kashmir Observer reported.
“On studying 408 scat samples of brown bears, the team found out that 86 scats have excreted plastic carry bags, milk powder, and chocolate covers. Some scats even had remnants of glass! The frequency of occurrence of garbage was 75% higher than wild plant matter, crop raids, and hunted sheep,” the study area, according to the report included Thajwas (Baltal) Wildlife Sanctuary, Sonamarg, Laxpathri, Nilgrath, and Sarbal villages since they are critical bear habitats and prime tourist destinations.
Sonamarg in particular was chosen due to its role as a bear habitat extending up to the Zojila. According to the report, the Himalayan brown bear population in Kashmir has been a mystery for wildlife conservationists and researchers due to its restricted distribution in the alpine meadows of the Himalayas. “Scant information exists about the Himalayan brown bear and almost no research exists on these bears in the Kashmir region,” the study notes.
The study was conducted to assess the anthropogenic pressure on brown bear habitat, evaluate and mitigate human-bear conflict, and the dependence and habituation of brown bears on garbage dumps.
“The research team also found evidence of other species like the Himalayan marmot and the elusive Asian Ibex munching on trash. Such evidence points toward the alarming need to implement mitigation measures promptly,” it added.