Edited By Sangeeta Das
A survey has begun in Arunachal Pradesh’s
Pakke Tiger Reserve to assess the population of Asiatic black bears. This
survey marks the first attempt to gauge the status of Asiatic black bears
released in the reserve forest after undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre
for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation -CBRC, officials reported.
Established in 2002 through
collaboration among the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, International Fund
for Animal Welfare or IFAW, and Wildlife Trust of India-WTI, the CBRC focuses
on rehabilitating displaced bear cubs back into their natural habitat.
The ongoing survey, supported by the
Ministry of Environment and Forests or MoEF and conducted in partnership with
the WTI, involves preliminary sign surveys and camera trapping.
The 20-member team has already conducted
three preliminary sign surveys in Rilloh, Nyargoka, and Delang ranges, and the
helipad ground route. The final survey, along with camera trapping, commenced
on Tuesday. It will continue until March.
Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger
Reserve Divisional Forest Officer Satyaprakash Singh emphasized the success of
the CBRC’s rehabilitation efforts will be assessed through this comprehensive
survey.
WTI manager and CBRC head Dr Panjit
Basumatary highlighted the study aims to provide valuable insights into the
bear population, habitat preferences, and occupancy patterns, utilizing
advanced methods based on occupancy analysis.
The survey covers an elevation range
from 900 meters to up to 2,000 meters above sea level, providing a holistic
understanding of the Asiatic black bear population in the Pakke landscape.
The results are expected to contribute
significantly to conservation efforts and may serve as a model for similar
initiatives in other landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh and other States.
