Himalayan Brown Bear and Climate Change

A Himalayan brown bear ( Uris arctos isabellinus ) recently attracted international media attention following an episode involving a Pakistani singer, Quratulain Balouch in the Deosai National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan. This incident is indicative of an increasing pattern of human-bear confrontation across the Himalayan region which has been mainly caused by habitat loss, climate change and the amount of food waste produced by humans. Previously regarded as a symbol of the wilderness, the species is currently growing under the pressure of human expansion.

Ecology and Distribution

Himalayan brown-bear is still a much neglected species compared to its counterparts in North America and Europe. It is endemic in the alpine and sub-alpine areas within the north-western and western Himalayas and its population is declining consistently. Habitats have been disrupted by deforestation, overgrazing and land use, pushing bears to be closer to human settlements. Although they like low densely populated, undisturbed regions, their habitats are becoming smaller.

Climate Change and Its Impact.

Himalayas are heating up approximately three times as the rest of the world, and it will increase to 3degC by 2100. Increasing temperatures decrease the favorable environments, change food web, and length of snow cover. Long foraging periods tend to drive bears towards villages in search of food, increasing human-wildlife interactions.

Rising Conflicts

Such places as Zanskar (Ladakh) and Lahaul (Himachal Pradesh) record regular bear attacks on animals and grain. Conflicts are worst in the fall because bears are in hyperphagia- the process of accumulating fats before going to sleep. Although it causes major economic damages, deaths have been few over the recent years.

Community and Conservation Problems.

There is damage to crops and livestock, aggravated by a lack of knowledge about the ecology of the bears, among local communities. It has been suggested by experts that there should be improved waste management, controlled grazing and community watch programs. Protected areas and ecotourism would assist, but must be synchronized with strategies of climate adaptation.

Conservationists emphasise that it is not sufficient to protect habitats. Protected areas, sustainable land use, and community involvement need to be united in order to ensure the survival of this endangered species and Himalayan ecological balance.