Certificate - Etheses - Saurashtra University

develop mitigation strategies that can reduce the human-brown bear conflicts. In this
chapter, the results of the study on human casualties, livestock killings, nature and
extent of agricultural and horticultural crop damage by brown bears and circumstances
have been presented.
6.2 Methods
The study on assessment of human-brown bear conflicts was conducted in Kugti
wildlife sanctuary during 2002 to 2004. Information on human casualties, livestock
(sheep and goat and others if any) killings and nature and extent of damage to
agricultural and horticultural crops by brown bears was collected from the records of the
forest department and from forest officials and field staff.
The migratory graziers used 22 grazing pastures or dhars in Kugti wildlife sanctuary
from April to October every year. Out of 22 permanent grazing pastures, only 12
dhars, namely, Andarli Dhamel, Andarli Kinnaur, Bharali Kinnaur, Bhiad, Bhug,
Bhumkar, Duggi, Ghiula, Mundi, Nanaun and Sarni dhar were selected for the
conflict study. Photograph 1 and 2 show nomadic shepherds with livestock in Kugti
wildlife sanctuary. Photograph 3 shows livestock grazing in Sarni dhar close to
Dalatu agricultural land. The affected village(s) and the selected dhars or grazing
pastures were surveyed and information on conflict aspects was collected by talking
to the local people and migratory shepherds in the pre-designed questionnaire formats
(Appendix 5). In Photograph 4, a shepherd was interviewed in ‘Bhug’ dhar to
collect information on livestock killings by bears. Information on the number, place of
occurrence, time of livestock killings, and problem species was also recorded in the
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