Daltonganj: Three bear attacks on humans in six days under the Mahuadarn range of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) were seasonal encounters caused by resource sharing, and not the result of human-bear conflict on the lines of human-elephant conflict, PTR field director S R Natesha said.“The recent incidents are a result of seasonal face-off between the two. Villagers enter forests to collect fruits, nuts, mushrooms, while sloth bears search for fruits, nuts, bulbs, tubers. Also, monsoon brings in lots of insects, which are the favourite food of bear. Bears, which are on the prowl for food, come in sudden close-range contact with humans, leading to confrontations.”Bears are present in PTR . Hence, people must choose safe hours enter forests. Late afternoon and early morning hours are risky, sources in the PTR said.Bears seldom chase humans. Villages lie close to PTR forests, but bears rarely stray into habitations, unlike deer and elephants. They usually attack when threatened or cornered. In the three incidents recently reported in Mahuadarn range, bears attacked four people from a distance of 5 to 10 mt. Bears with cubs can become aggressive as elephants with calves. Fear for cubs’ safety may drive a bear to charge at humans, they added.Compensation for injuries ranges from Rs 35,000 to Rs 2,00,000. It is Rs 3,50,000 for permanent disability and Rs 10,00,000 in case of death.
