Gujarat Government initiates Sloth Habitat Project

Gujarat Government initiates Sloth Habitat Project

Gujarat Government has initiated Sloth Habitat Project in Jessore wildlife sanctuary to provide better habitat to sloth bears. The project aims at restoring the ecology of sloth bears in the sanctuary by planting fruit trees and removing unwanted plant species that have intruded in the habitat. The planted trees will basically serve as food habitat for the sloth bears as their population increased. Nearly 293 sloth bears were found in the state forests in last census of 2011. Unwanted encroached plant species like Lantenaspp and Prospisjuli-flora, which is called as Gando Baval in local language will be removed. Background State government’s decision to initiate this project comes after pilot project in this regard has shown positive results. This pilot project was implemented in Banaskantha district by state forest department in coordination with the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC). However, the final testing will be conducted in the forests of Jessore sanctuary in monsoon season from June or July and after necessary process the project will be handed over to the state forest department for implementation on large area. About Sloth bears Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bears found in India. Categorised as vulnerable species in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list. It is black and dark brown in colour with yellowish patch on the chest and has large feet and claw. Sloth bear is omnivorous animal and mainly eat honey, termites, fruits (mangoes and figs) and grass.