Human-Bear Interactions

In the high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, people live alongside some truly fascinating wildlife—including black and brown bears. But this shared space comes with its own set of challenges. The narratives from these shared spaces shed light on the complex human-animal relationships of appreciation, loss and conflict.

In 2024, to understand these human-bear interactions better across different valleys, interviews were conducted with nomadic herders like the Gaddis in Himachal and the Bakerwals in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as farmers, agro-pastoralists, and village head persons. Each person brought a unique perspective to what coexistence means in these changing landscapes.

These conversations were made possible thanks to the efforts of local researchers—like Khando Kesang in Lahaul—who played a key role in reaching remote areas and gathering insights that might otherwise go unheard.