Bears Turning Deadly in Uttarakhand: Daytime Attacks Raise Alarm

Dehradun: Uttarakhand is witnessing a surge in wild bear attacks, posing a serious threat to both humans and livestock in hill districts including Uttarkashi, Pauri, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag. In a recent incident in Chamoli’s Pokhri block, a woman collecting fodder in the forest was severely mauled by a bear. Despite her injuries, she managed to cling to a tree overnight until villagers found her the next morning. She was airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh due to the severity of her wounds. In another instance, a woman successfully defended herself against an attacking bear using a sickle, forcing it to flee.

Statistics Paint a Grim Picture

Data from the past 25 years indicates 2,081 bear attacks in Uttarakhand, leaving 2,009 people injured and 71 dead. In 2025 alone, the forest department has recorded 71 attacks and 7 fatalities. Year-wise figures also show a fluctuating but concerning trend: 2020 – 99 injured, 2021 – 80, 2022 – 57, 2023 – 53, 2024 – 65.

Bear attacks are concentrated in regions where human settlements intersect with forested areas. During the COVID-19 lockdown, wild animals, including bears, ventured into villages more frequently, leading to a noticeable increase in human encounters.

Why Bears Are Attacking

Wildlife experts attribute this rise in attacks to rapid environmental changes. Key factors include:

• Decline in forest fruits and natural food sources
• Climate change affecting seasonal availability of forage
• Destruction of bear habitats due to human activities and excessive rainfall

Consequently, bears are increasingly entering human settlements in search of food. Crops, fruit trees, and household waste near villages act as additional attractions.

Seasonal and Human Activity Factors

Most attacks occur post-monsoon, between September and November, coinciding with villagers collecting fodder, firewood, and forest produce. Children, pilgrims, and travelers have also faced attacks on roads and forest paths. Expansion of roads, increased human activity in forest areas, and proximity of garbage points exacerbate human-wildlife conflict.

Authorities warn that both humans and bears are at risk, urging villagers to exercise caution while venturing into forested areas and to report bear sightings promptly to prevent further casualties.