Forest Department decides to plant Jujube trees near Bear caves to avoid attacks on villagers

Forest Department of Chhota Udepur decides to plant Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) plants near Bear caves to control their trespassing in the villages and roads.

The habitation of the bears is the gateway to the forests of the south and east of Vadodara and around 54 bears live in the forest areas of Chhotaudepur’s Kevadi and Dollaria, and Pavijetpur’s  Kundal. Bears also inhabit the forests of Ratan Mahal, Dahod (Sagtala) and Jambughoda.

A villager was seriously injured in a recent bear attack at Ambakhunt in Pavijetpur. Talking about the incident, Dr. Dhawal Gadhvi, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chhotaudepur Forest Department, said, the bears are very fond of juicy, sour Jujube fruits which are located in the backyard of villagers. The bears are lured by the fruits and enter the human-populated areas increasing the risk of attacks on the villagers.  

Keeping in view the situation, the Forest Department has decided to plant the Jujube trees near their caves, to avoid such situations in the future. The department also will be providing compensation to the injured or family of the deceased. 

Apart from Jujube, bears also are fond of other trees like Mahuda flowers, Java Plum, Umba fruit found in Kevadi area, Garmala Singo, Gulmahor flower, and Timruva fruit known as Temarwa. Of these, Jujube trees are mostly found in villages and are rare in forests.

The state government has revised the compensation available in cases of death or injury in wildlife attacks. The state government has recently shown great sensitivity in increasing the amount of assistance available to the family of the deceased in case of death due to wild life attack and to the person concerned in case of injury. At the same time, such attacks have increased the compensation available in cases of animal deaths and injuries. In addition to this, under this scheme till now only cases of attack by tigers, lions, panthers, bears, and crocodiles by five wild animals were eligible for assistance of death or injury. Now, attacks of wolves, Striped hyenas, and wild boars are also included in the list.

How to avoid a bear attack?

• People in the forests around the villages where bears live should avoid going into the forests, especially in the dim light like nighttime or late evenings. 
• One should enter the forest during that time with a torch and a stick for self-defense. 
• One should avoid going alone and travel in a group, you have to carry a torch and a stick for self-defense, and talk loudly
• Construct toilets at home instead of going to the forest

The forest department also organizes public awareness meetings in the villages of the area to impart public education on such precautions.