>Qwerfjkl at 21:14, 5 July 2021

2021-07-05T21:14:32Z

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{{short description|Wildlife sanctuary in India}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Sloth bear 1.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Indian common sloth bear (''Melursus ursinus ursinus'')
| photo_width =
| map = India Gujarat
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Gujarat, India
| map_width =
| location = [[Banaskantha district]], [[Gujarat]], {{flag|India}}
| nearest_city = [[Palanpur]]
| coordinates = {{coords|24.2|N|72.3|E|display=inline, title}}
| area_km2 = 180.66
| established = May 1978
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[Government of India]], [[Government of Gujarat]]
| world_heritage_site =
| url =
}}
'''Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary''' is situated in the [[Banaskantha district]] formerly under [[Palanpur State]] in the [[States of India|Indian state of Gujarat]] at the [[Gujarat]]-[[Rajasthan]] border. It was declared as a sanctuary in May 1978, covering an area of about {{convert|180|km2|mi2}}, principally for protection of the [[sloth bear]], which is now categorized as "Vulnerable A2cd+4cd;C1 ver 3.1" on the [[IUCN Red List]]. Their numbers are declining in the wild and they are threatened with extinction.<ref name=Negi>{{Cite book|last=Negi|first= Sharad Singh|title= Handbook of national parks, sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves in India|page=86|access-date=2010-02-14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIVGAAAAYAAJ&q=Jessore+Sloth+Bear+Sanctuary|publisher= Indus Pub. Co.|year=1991|isbn=81-85182-59-0}}</ref><ref name="Haywood">{{cite book|last=Haywood|first=Karen Diane|title=Bears Endangered! Series|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|year=2008|page=21|isbn=978-0-7614-2987-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpKSbacqQIMC&q=Jessore+Sloth+Bear+Sanctuary&pg=PA21}}</ref><ref name="IUCN" >{{cite iucn|author=Garshelis, D.L.|author2=Ratnayeke S.|author3=Chauhan, N.P.S.|name-list-style=amp|year=2008|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13143/0|title=''Melursus ursinus''|access-date=16 February 2010}}</ref><ref name=Gujarat>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gujaratplus.com/web/gujarat/wildlife/jessore_sloth_bear_sanctuary.html|title=Wildlife of Gujarat|work=gujaratplus.com|year=2010|access-date=2010-02-13}}</ref>

The name "sloth" is said to be the epithet travellers and hunters in India gave to the bear when they saw it hanging upside down from branches of trees and consequently they identified it with [[sloth]], an animal that hangs upside down. While it is now known as sloth bear, initially it was called "bear sloth" since the game hunters identified this species with the [[sloth]] of [[South America]] as the physical characteristics and [[Arboreal locomotion|arboreal]] habits of both species matched. Towards the later part of the 18th century, its scientific name was ''Ursine bradypus'', ''Ursiform sloth'' or ''Bradypus ursinus''. But when in the early 19th century, a sloth bear, housed in a zoo in [[France]], was examined, scientists identified it correctly as a bear species and thereafter the name was changed from "bear sloth" to "sloth bear".<ref name= Haywood/><ref name=Gujarat/><ref name=sloth>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iar.org.uk/media/downloads/iar-sloth-bears.pdf |title=The Sloth Bear |pages=1–23 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Bear Specialist Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221085543/http://www.iar.org.uk/media/downloads/iar-sloth-bears.pdf |archive-date=December 21, 2008 }}</ref> Jessore hill, which is the back drop to the sanctuary, is also prefixed to form the full name "Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary".<ref name= Haywood/><ref name=Gujarat/>

Ministry of Environment and Forests of the [[Government of India]], Forest Department of Gujarat, well known Institutes and Universities of the country, stakeholders and local communities in and around the project area have been engaged in Conservation and Sustainable Management of Dryland Biodiversity of North Gujarat under a [[Global Environment Facility|GEF]]/[[UNDP]] supported project with the objective of conservation of globally significant biodiversity. The two projects identified under the programme, as demonstration project sites were the Jessore and Balaram-Ambaji Sanctuaries. The information gathered under this project in respect of the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary has enhanced the information base and is expected to help in building local establishments to adopt novel ideas to resolve the threats faced by the sanctuary.<ref name=diversity>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/signs/info_honeybee/HB11(2).pdf|title=Honey Bee Volume 11 (2) April–June 2000|work=Dry Land Biodiversity: Conservation of Dryland Bio Diversity –An indigenous knowledge based study|pages=14–16|access-date=2010-02-15|publisher=Government t of Maharashtra}}</ref>

==Geography==
The sanctuary is located in the Jessore hills of [[Aravalli hills]], to the south of the [[Thar desert]]. It was declared a sanctuary covering an area of {{convert|180.66|km2|mi2}} in 1978.<ref name=Lemons>{{Cite book |last=Lemons |first=John |author2=Reginald Victor |author3=Daniel Schaffer |title=Conserving biodiversity in arid regions: best practices in developing nations |page=243 |access-date=2010-02-14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b0IukXmOzGAC&q=Jessore+Sloth+Bear+Sanctuary&pg=PA243 |publisher= Springer |year=2003 |isbn=1-4020-7483-2}}</ref><ref name=weed/> The sanctuary area lies between the desert ecosystem and the [[Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests|dry deciduous type of ecosystem]], and the forested area helps in arresting desertification and advancement of [[Thar desert]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gujaratpulse.com/book/export/html/58|title= Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary |access-date=2010-02-15}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The nearest airport is that of [[Ahmedabad]], about {{convert|190|km|mi}} away. The nearest railway station is at [[Palanpur]], {{convert|45|km|mi}} away, and iqbalgadh village is at {{convert|8|km|mi}} distance.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} The Sanctuary also houses two temples (one of them is the Kedarnath Mahadev temple), which are frequented by a large number of pilgrims during October–November, and a protected sacred grove.<ref name=Lemons/>

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Jessore hills, Bear Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|Jessore Sanctuary]]
=== Flora ===
The vegetation in the sanctuary consists of arid to semiarid and dry [[deciduous]] thorny scrub.<ref name=ecology>{{Cite web|url=http://envfor.nic.in/paryaabs/v22n14/em-34-eco.htm |title=Ecology |work=Paper no 0501-153 |access-date=2010-02-15 |author1=Pandit BR |author2=Patel Dax |author3=Pandya Ushma |publisher=Bhavnagar University |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121118100052/http://envfor.nic.in/paryaabs/v22n14/em-34-eco.htm |archive-date=2012-11-18 }}</ref>

A UNDP sponsored study of the [[flora]] of the sanctuary has identified 406 species of plants (90 trees, 47 [[shrubs]], 33 climbers, 194 [[herbs]], 31 [[grasses]], six [[pteridophytes]], two [[bryophytes]], one [[epiphyte]], and two [[fungi]]). A further analysis indicates that the families of tree species are 13, shrubs 15, herbs 11 and climbers 13. Some of the species reportedly belong to the threatened category as per [[IUCN]]; these are: ''[[Pavonia arabica]]'', ''[[Tecomella undulata]]'', ''[[Capparis cartilaginea]]'', ''[[Dendrocalamus strictus]]'', ''[[Sterculia urens]]'' and [[Phoenix sylvestris|silver date palm]] and ''Ceropegia odorata'', an endangered species. Six [[endemic species]] to India recorded are ''[[Ogeissus sericea]]'', ''[[Chlorophytum|Chlorophytum borivilianum]]'', ''[[Sterculia urens]]'', ''[[Tecomella undulata]]'', [[silver date palm]] and ''[[Dendrocalamus strictus]]''. Further, 89 plants are recorded to have [[Medicinal Plant|medicinal]] properties.<ref name=diversity/>

However, forest area is reportedly diminishing, and the corridor with hill area forests of Aravalli is also reducing, disrupting the migration of the bears. As a result, forest areas are reported only in patches. ''[[Prosopis juliflora]]'' called locally as ''gando baval'' has become the dominant vegetation affecting spread of local species, growth of goat and cattle population and forest fires; about 40 per cent of the green cover in the lower areas and 20 per cent in hilly regions are covered by this weed.<ref name=Lemons/><ref name=weed>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-06-30/ahmedabad/27204699_1_gando-baval-forest-official-gir-sanctuary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811035948/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-06-30/ahmedabad/27204699_1_gando-baval-forest-official-gir-sanctuary|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-08-11|title= Forest of weeds: Gando baval props up green cover|access-date=2010-02-15|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2003-06-30}}</ref>

=== Fauna ===
Apart from sloth bear, other [[fauna]] reported in the sanctuary are [[leopard]], [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[blue bull]], [[wild boar]], [[porcupine]], and a variety of birds.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} Other endangered species harboured by the sanctuary are [[jungle cat]], [[Asian palm civet]], [[caracal]], [[wolf]] and [[hyena]].<ref name=Lemons/>

The faunal study by UNDP covered the herpetofaunal group. 14 species of [[amphibians]] and [[reptiles]] have been recorded here; the list includes [[Indian python]] (''Python molurus'') an endangered species, [[Lissemys punctata|Indian flap-shelled turtle]] (''Lissemys punctata'') of vulnerable category and [[Mugger crocodile|muggar]] (''Crocodylus palustris'') and ''[[Monitor lizard|Varanus]]'' (''Varanus bengalensis'') of endangered category. Threats faced by these species have been noted as water shortage, traffic, and hunting by [[snake charmers]].<ref name=diversity/>

Reptiles found also include [[cobra]], [[Bungarus|krait]], several types of [[Viperidae|viper]] and [[monitor lizard]].<ref name=Lemons/><ref name=arkive>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arkive.org/sloth-bear/melursus-ursinus/info.html|title=Sloth Bear|access-date=2010-02-14|publisher=Arkive: Images of Life on earth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406014554/http://www.arkive.org/sloth-bear/melursus-ursinus/info.html|archive-date=2009-04-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Avifauna ====
Studies of [[Bird|avifauna]] in the sanctuary revealed 105 species, including [[migratory birds]]. The list includes: four near threatened category birds comprising [[grey jungle fowl]] (''Gallus sonneratii''), [[white-bellied minivet]] (''Pericrocotus erythropygus''), [[Indian black ibis]] (''Pseudibis papillosa'') and [[painted stork]] (''Mycturia leucocephala''); the vulnerable category (as per IUCN Red List) are [[white-winged black tit]] (''Parus nuchalis''), [[Asian openbill]] (''Anastomus oscitans''), [[Indian white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps Bengalensis''), [[Indian vulture]] (''Gyps indicus''), [[red-headed vulture]] (''Sarcogyps calvus'') and [[red-necked falcon]] (''Falco chicquera'').<ref name=diversity/>

==== Mammals ====
20 species of mammalian fauna have been identified. Of these [[Indian pangolin]] (''Manis crassicaudata'') and [[sloth bear]] (''Melursus ursinus'') are near threatened and vulnerable respectively.<ref name=diversity/>

==Threats==
[[File:Pushkar-bear and handler.jpg|thumb|right| A captive sloth bear (''Melursus ursinus'') and handler in Pushkar]]
The threats faced by the sanctuary, and the sloth bear in particular, are: the disappearing forests due to anthropogenic and cattle pressures; destruction of termite hills (source of favourite food for the bear) by humans, capturing for training to perform in circuses (they are popular as "dancing bears"), travelling shows and fairs.<ref name= Haywood/> Poaching and trade in sloth bears or their parts has also been reported. Even the cubs are captured and removed from the sanctuary.<ref name=IUCN/>

The UNDP study has also listed threats to avifauna as deterioration of the habitat, overgrazing, quarrying (which causes noise pollution and dust), damage to ground vegetation by the invasive ''[[Prosopis juliflora]]'', scarcity of water, hunting, and anthropogenic pressure resulting in habitat destruction.<ref name=diversity/>

However, threat from the sloth bears is also reported to people and crops. The human-sloth bear conflict was scientifically examined for one year (between June 2007 and July 2008 in Jessore Sanctuary and also in the [[Mount Abu]] [[Sanctuary]], which revealed that there were human casualties due to attack by bears. Thirty such attacks on humans (more on males) in the forest, villages and crop fields were reported during the study period, with summer season recording the maximum number followed by monsoon and winter. Crop damage of varying degree by bears was also reported.<ref name=conflict>{{Cite web|url=http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/ars/2008/irs/18.htm|title=Human-sloth bear conflict in Mount Abu and Jessore Wildlife Sanctuaries and mitigation strategies|access-date=2010-02-15|publisher=Government of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162320/http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/ars/2008/irs/18.htm|archive-date=2011-07-21}}</ref> This has caused fear among the villagers. However, under these conditions of threat to life and crops, the bears may be killed under the law to protect life or property.<ref name=IUCN/>

==Conservation==
Proposals to create a biological corridor of four protected areas in the Aravalli hills as conservation area namely, the Jessore and Balaram Ambaji in Gujarat in [[Banaskantha district|Banskantha]] and [[Sabarkantha district|Sabarkantha]], and [[Mt. Abu]] and Fulwar-Ki-Nar in the districts of [[Udaipur]] and [[Sirohi]] in [[Rajasthan]] to be developed as multiple use zones, have been mooted since all these are sanctuaries for sloth bear. Community participation is also suggested in this plan.<ref name="Swaminathan">{{Cite book|last=Swaminathan|first=Dr.R.|title=Gujarat, perspectives of the future|page=263|access-date=2010-02-14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TQSrCrFhFUC&q=Jessore+Sloth+Bear+Sanctuary&pg=PA263|publisher=Academic Foundation|year=2008|isbn=978-81-7188-595-4}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ratan Mahal Wildlife Sanctuary]]
* [[Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Protected areas established in 1978]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Banaskantha district]]
[[Category:Bear conservation]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Gujarat]]

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Revision history

>Qwerfjkl at 21:14, 5 July 2021