By: Achyut
Aryal Presence and absence survey of Brown bear was done in Manasalu
Conservation Area (MCA) of Nepal with the support of IBA, USA during
June-August, 2008. The Brown bears are distributed in samma VDC of Gorkha
district with in MCA, it has distributed in 85 sq.km area of samma VDC ( it has
found in Gyala, Mayol, Yaguthang, chhetang, Lajung, area of Samma VDC). Brown
bears are generally migrating from Tibetan side and local people did not see
brown bears in the area before 3 years. After three years, its seeing pattern
is increasing every years. In 2008, local people have seen 9 brown bears (5
Adult with 4 caws) in the samdo area during the time of cordyceps sinensis collection (March-May). Generally, it can seen
as common in February-June and October-December, at that time all livestock
come down and low human activities in the area.
Acording to Tibetan side people, there are 20-30 numbers of brown bears
in the Qurung district which is adjoining with Samma VDC (Village Development
Committee) of Nepal.
History about Brown bears appearance in MCA:
Sammo VDC of Gorkha district is jointed with Qurung district of Tibetan
(China). According to local people from the Qurung distirct of Tibet, there are
good numbers of Brown bears around 20-30 numbers. There are high rates of
livestock depredation in the area by Brown bears so the local people too much
aggressive from Brown bears, so that local people specially livestock herder
put poison to kill brown bears, resulting, last year 2 brown bears were die one
in Tibet side and one in Nepal side. One local people have collected skulls and
bone of that died brown bear.
There were no brown bears before 3 years ago. It had been seen only one
in 2005 and it has been increasing seeing pattern in Nepal side by 2 Brown
bears in 2006, 4 in 2007 and this year local people has seen 9 brown bear in
the area. Local people claimed that 4 are residential in Nepal side now.
It is strange that brown bear has seen suddenly in the area from last 3
years, it is because of high pressure in brown bears habitats by poaching,
habitat distruction, poisioning, grazing land fire and reducing prey species of
brown bears therefore Brown bear has moved to Nepal side with the main reason
is high prey species ( Himalyan Marmot) availability in Sammdo area, there are
very good population of Himalayan Marmot ( local people never kills Himalayan
marmots because of religions believes as well as other wildlife), it seems that
about 70% food of brown bear composed with Himalayan marmot in the area. Food
availability is main reason to come back brown bear in MCA.
Increasing the brown
bear in MCA, livestock depredation pattern is also increasing in the area and
local people are so much afraid with Brown bears they believes, if the people
encounter with brown bears, it kills the peoples. Livestock depredation pattern
and people encountering with brown bears are increasing in every years, if this situation is increasing years by years,
obviously local people my start to put poison for killing brown bears in the
area in future, therefore, Brown bear conservation awareness and education
program is continue needed as well as compensation project should be launched
for the conservation of brown bears in the area.
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