In the high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, communities live alongside remarkable wildlife, including black bears and brown bears. Yet, this coexistence is fraught with challenges. Our team has been delving into this growing conflict between local communities and bears, and the story is both complex and compelling.

In 2024, we interviewed people from villages across different valleys to understand the increasing tension between humans and bears. One major issue is crop raiding by bears, which has had a significant impact on locals. Agriculture is a primary livelihood for many, and these incidents are more than just a nuisance—they are a serious threat to their way of life.
In Lahaul, particularly in the Pattan Valley, where apple orchards thrive, the pattern of crop damage is alarming. This region, connected to the Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, seems to be a hotspot for bear-related conflicts, which then spread to neighbouring valleys.

While crop raiding is a pressing concern, our research has uncovered another troubling issue: the use of bear parts in traditional remedies in some regions. The continued use of bear gall bladders in traditional medicine creates a troubling link between human-wildlife conflict and illegal wildlife trade. Most of these incidents involve black bears, which are often hunted as a result of these conflicts.

Addressing human-bear conflicts requires a multifaceted approach that combines community engagement, innovative conflict mitigation strategies, and targeted awareness programs. By improvising traditional practices and enhancing collaboration between communities and the Forest Department, we can work towards a sustainable coexistence. 

However, there is a critical gap in understanding how brown bears utilize the landscape, which is vital for effective conflict resolution. This leads to the next phase of our research, where we aim to study the spatio-temporal patterns of land use by bears and identify the factors driving these patterns.

This ongoing project seeks to develop solutions grounded in research and informed by local consultations, ensuring that both human livelihoods and wildlife are safeguarded for a balanced and sustainable future.