Bipan Rathore, Independent Researcher

There are few sacred alpine meadows associated with conservation of Brown bears in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh where they are protected by the shepherds in the name of local Deities. The brown bears density was found to be very high because of fear of deity which is worshipped by shepherds and the habitat is used both by sheep, goat and bears during summer season.
One such sacred alpine meadow named Chadola dhar was investigated by me during July to September 2024 and the deity associated is Maa Bhagwati where nine brown bears were recorded using this sacred habitat (Area Six square kilometre). It was found that in spite of predation on live stock no retaliatory killing was reported by the shepherds because of the fear and respect for deity located inside the habitat.
The study was conducted by direct observation, interviewing shepherds, villagers and herb collectors. This study contributes significant information on survival of brown bears in fragmented habitat and revealed the sacred way of conservation. The highest bear density was found to be directly correlated with availability of food plants, suitable shrubs for escape cover and fear of deity which offer unique way of conservation.