A recent investigation by the Zoological Survey of India has released alarming predictions about drastic habitat loss facing the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus). The study projects that due to climate change, 73% of the bear’s habitat may disappear by 2050. This rapid reduction could render eight out of 13 Protected Areas (PA) completely uninhabitable by mid-century.
The Study and its Findings
The study, aptly named ‘Adaptive spatial planning of protected area networks for conserving the Himalayan brown bear’, revolved around the brown bear population in the western Himalayas. This specific region has been identified as particularly susceptible to global warming; the rate of warming in this elevation belt surpasses other parts of the Himalayas. The disappearance of these habitats would prove catastrophic for the brown bear population dwelling in these regions.
Recommendations and Solutions
To mitigate this potential crisis, scientists involved in the study have made several recommendations. Primarily, they stress the need for preemptive spatial planning of PAs within the Himalayan region, with the objective of ensuring the long-term survival of the species. Spatial planning, which involves making informed decisions about land use activity locations and distribution, can potentially minimize the risks and uncertainty associated with climate change. It allows for continual monitoring of both climatic and socio-economic changes, thereby enabling timely interventions when necessary.
About the Himalayan Brown Bear
The Himalayan brown bear inhabits the north-western and central parts of the Himalaya, spanning India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. Natural environments for the species typically comprise high altitude open valleys and pastures.
Conservation Status
The bear is currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and falls under Appendix I of CITES. It is also protected under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Diet and Threats
Known for their omnivorous diet, these bears face significant threats to their survival. Chief among them are human-animal conflict, rapid habitat loss due to climate change, and poaching for fur, claws, and organs. In rare instances, bear baiting has also been recorded. The proposed spatial planning strategies aim to address these threats, ensuring the conservation of this iconic species and its fragile habitat for future generations.