Uttarakhand is grappling with an unprecedented surge in human-wildlife conflicts, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of fatal bear attacks since the state's formation. The forest department has recorded eight fatalities this year alone, marking a sharp and alarming escalation. In an exclusive interview, State Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal detailed the causes behind this crisis and outlined the government's multi-pronged strategy to mitigate it.
Climate Change and Waste: The Root Causes of Aggression
Minister Uniyal expressed deep concern, stating he had never witnessed such intense conflict from bear attacks in his lifetime. Preliminary investigations point directly to climate change as a primary driver. "Hibernation should start in November and last for months," Uniyal explained. However, bears and other species like tortoises are experiencing significant disruptions in their hibernation cycles due to changing temperatures.
This delay and disruption in hibernation are making bears more aggressive as they remain active for longer periods. The minister identified a second critical factor: the easy availability of food waste near human settlements. As natural food sources decline, bears are increasingly drawn to garbage dumps, bringing them into dangerous proximity with villages and towns.
Immediate Actions and Hotspot Management
To address the immediate threat, the forest department has identified 20 high-conflict divisions as priority hotspots. A series of targeted interventions are being rolled out in these areas. The state is distributing a minimum of 50 solar-powered lights to each of these divisions to improve visibility and deter nocturnal animal movement.
Responding to community demands, the department has also begun clearing bushes and shrubs near settlements to eliminate hiding spots for animals. Extensive awareness campaigns are educating residents on safe practices, including proper food waste disposal and safer timings for venturing out. Notably, school timings in these hotspots have been adjusted to ensure children are not traveling during peak bear movement hours, especially in foggy conditions.
Policy, Compensation, and Long-Term Studies
On the policy front, the government is exploring avenues within the existing legal framework. While amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act to grant more powers to range officers are at a nascent stage, the state is considering other measures. These include the potential translocation of animals if populations exceed the state's carrying capacity.
In a significant move, the government has substantially increased compensation for victims' families. The ex-gratia for deaths due to wildlife conflict has been raised from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The compensation policy has also been expanded to cover medical treatment for the injured, property damage, and even incidents like bee or wasp stings, which were previously not covered.
For a long-term solution, the Head of Forest Forces has been directed to conduct a detailed study on the behavioral changes in animals. This study will be conducted in collaboration with premier institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Research Institute (FRI). The findings are expected to guide future strategies, which may include advanced solutions like solar fencing, sensor alerts, and AI-enabled monitoring systems.
Infrastructure vs. Environment: The Char Dham Project Defence
When questioned about infrastructure projects like the Char Dham highway in eco-sensitive zones potentially fragmenting habitats, Minister Uniyal cited national security imperatives. He stated that the project, crucial for defense mobility along the Indo-China border, was being pursued with necessary precautions. "The number of trees affected will be reduced," he assured, adding that parallel infrastructure is being developed to minimize disruption to wildlife movement. This comes amid criticism from environmental groups and senior leaders over the felling of thousands of deodar trees for the project.
The Uttarakhand government's approach reflects a balancing act between urgent crisis management, community safety, ecological research, and overarching developmental and security priorities. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched as the state seeks to curb its worsening human-wildlife conflict.
