Disturbed bears stray into villages for food

KARIMNAGAR: Wild bears entering villages and human habitations in search of food and water is a common sight in summer.According to forest officials there are about 1,500 to 2,000 wild bears registered in the district.The prevailing acute drought conditions and the stone quarry operations are disturbing the ecology and forcing wild bears to enter human habitations causing concern among people in general and forest officials in particular.Otherwise, the wildlife, which was abundant in the hillocks, having lots of flora and fauna, had been disturbed in the recent past with the advent of stone quarrying and stone crushing operations.Wildlife, including wild bears and peacocks, which are disturbed in their habitat with the intrusion of human activity, are forced to enter into human habitations in search of shelter, food and water.There are incidents of wild bears entering human habitations and fields and falling in wells while searching for food and water.The national bird is also being trapped after entering villages and also around Karimnagar town with the new colonies coming up on the outskirts.Last year, a bear attacked a farmer at Annaram village of Manakondur mandal.Another incident where a wild bear was knocked down by a granite lorry at Bahupet village was reported on Vemulawada- Karimangar highway.On the other hand, several wild bears have fallen in agriculture wells.Forest officials on the other hand asked villagers and granite businessmen to minimize mining activities on hillocks.‘’Of late, because of disturbances in their habitats, with the opening up of stone quarrying, stone crushing units and the subsequent blasts during the nights, the wild animals were being frightened and forced to enter into the human habitations,’’ divisional forest officer Priyanka Varghese said.According to the forest department records, there are about 2,450 bears in the state forests.They are mainly in Medak, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Warangal and Adilabad districts.The forest official advised people to keep water containers near the hillocks and village outskirts and asked them to be cautious while moving in the fields.