The overall aim of the project is to ensure an end to the tradition of “dancing bears” in India, provide livelihood options for the Kalandars and to take meaningful steps for the conservation of the species Melursus Ursinus
The steps are;
- Lobby with the central and the state governments for appropriate policy interventions that will ensure clarity in dealing with the dancing bear issue.
- Conduct field studies to identify poaching areas and smuggling routes.
- To provide alternative livelihoods to the Kalandars who are traditionally dependent on the dancing bear occupation for livelihood.
- To implant microchips on each sloth bear in captivity of the Kalandars and thus register all the bears in captivity.
- To provide health support for sloth bears who are still on the streets.
- To get the Kalandars who are part of the alternative livelihood scheme to surrender their bears which would be kept in Lifetime Care Centers and the rescued bear cubs in re-habilitation centers for their subsequent release in the wild.
- To implement conflict-mitigation strategies in areas with human-bear conflicts and work closely with the local villagers near areas where future re-introductions are being planned.
- To equip and train forest guards in high-density sloth bear areas in anti-poaching.
- To spread awareness on the plight of dancing bears through targeted campaigns.
- To spread awareness on the plight of dancing bears.
This project is envisioned for an initial six-year period across the country. |
