Conservation status of Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Nagaland State, North-East India

We carried out survey in a total 16 villages locating in and around the different protected areas in Nagaland. Out of 265 respondent 69 (28.2%) respondents confirmed the presence of sun bear by direct sighting and indirect evidences in 2 PAs of Nagaland. Overall status of sun bear was found to be low and rare in and around Pas. In the Nagaland states, human population is constantly on the increase and as a result, there are increasing biotic pressure on protected areas and reserve forests. The potential tropical rainforest habitats of sun bear should be well protected and management action for improvement these habitats should be taken up on priority. Livestock grazing should be restricted in forest areas. Presence of sun bears has been confirmed in the Itanki and Fakim National Parks of Nagaland, but it showed patchy distribution. Both direct and indirect evidences (scats, claw marks and foot prints) of sun bears were observed by inhabitants of these areas. Sun bears were reported to be sighted and indirect evidences were seen by inhabitants of villages.Public education and awareness programmes towards conservation and natural history of sun bear must be initiated by the forest department. Study on ecology and management of sun bear is also very necessary for formulation of action plan for mitigation of human-sun bear conflict and long term conservation of the species.