A study on sloth bears in Gujarat, funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has identified 12 ecological corridors that will help connect fragmented habitats of the animal in the state. These corridors connect five major protected areas and unprotected bear habitats. ISRO funded the project and this is the first instance of application of space science geospatial technology being used for wildlife conservation in Gujarat. The corridors, if developed, can lead to the bears moving towards villages, which can be a potential conflict point. Potential conflict zones have also been identified, so that the forest department can take preemptive action. The project was jointly carried out by a team of Nishith Dharaiya, a member of the state wildlife board and associate professor of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, and CP Singh, a scientist with Space Application Centre. The research, titled 'Habitat Suitability & Corridor Analysis for Sloth Bear in Gujarat using Remote Sensing and Ecological Modelling', found that 1.45 per cent of the forest area, were sloth bears are found, can be developed as potential corridors. It should be noted that 20 per cent of the forest land, out of the total forest cover present in Gujarat, is designated as sloth bear landscape. "Given the fact that sloth bears continue to be in the vulnerable category, it is imperative that we manage the isolated habitats of the animals, which in Gujarat remain highly fragmented," said Dharaiya, who chairs the IUCN sloth bear expert team. He said that since many of the bear habitats are patchily distributed, the animal often visits the surrounding villages in search of food and water, thereby increasing the chances of human-bear conflict. "To help avoid this, the study has also provided details of potential conflict zones. The corridors to connect the various habitats have been identified in such a way that they reduce or eliminate human-bear interaction," said Dharaiya. Potential conflict zones identify those areas where there is a possibility of interaction between humans and bears — such as transport network, settlements, and agriculture lands, which have close proximity to the bear habitat. More than 300 sloth bear attacks have been recorded in the past ten years in Gujarat. Dharaiya said that it is important to identify the locations to understand the frequently-visited areas of bear, especially areas with high human activity. "Majority of the attacks have taken place close to protected areas, indicating the movements of bears outside the forests, as well as around human-dominated areas," he said.

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