Karnataka’s second sloth bear sanctuary, and perhaps its largest, is on the final stages of being established in Tumakuru district.

Vinay Luthra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said the sanctuary would come up on around 100 sq. km of land near Thimmalapura village in Madhugiri taluk of Tumakuru district.

Man-animal conflict

“With an increase in the man-animal conflict in the area, locals and environmentalists have been demanding a sanctuary that will provide anti-poaching camps and barriers,” said Mr. Luthra, who was a part of the 16-member subcommittee that visited the area recently.

He estimated a population of around 45 bears in the region.

Thimmalapura State Reserve Forest, falling under Madhugiri and Koratagere regions, will be notified as a sanctuary, and there would be no rehabilitation of village residents, he said. “The process is in the final stages. The subcommittee will submit a report to the State Wildlife Board, which will take a final call. The process will take time,” said Mr. Luthra.

The demand for a sanctuary was made nearly 15 years ago when the founder of the Wild Life Aware Nature Club, T.V.N. Murthy, who is now the Honorary Wildlife Warden of the district, petitioned the State government.

In the past five months alone, two bears have been killed by village residents, while incidents of bear-human conflict occurs frequently.

“The creation of a sanctuary will ensure a suitable habitat for the bears so that they do not have to come out of the forest for food,” he said, and added that the region has the potential to hold up to 230 bears.

The State Wildlife Board gave an in-principal approval to set up the sanctuary on June 15, 2014.