#Seijosa II Inside Pakke Tiger Reserve in Seijosa, Pakke-Kessang district, the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) — India’s only dedicated bear rescue and rehabilitation centre — works to rescue and raise orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs before releasing them back into the wild. The DD News Arunachal team recently visited CBRC and interacted with its head to understand its work and challenges. The centre was established in 2002 and is jointly run by the Wildlife Trust of India, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Central Zoo Authority. Dr. Panjit Basumatary, Senior Manager and Head of the centre, said increasing human population, shrinking habitat and biotic pressure are key reasons behind cubs getting separated from their mothers, often due to human–wildlife conflict. “Mostly due to increasing human population, shrinking habitat and biotic pressure, cubs are getting separated from their mothers, also due to human–wildlife conflict,” he said. He added that it is the centre’s responsibility to take care of them when they lose their mothers. According to him, more than 100 bear cubs have been rehabilitated so far, with around 70 successfully released back into the wild. A small animal clinic is also being developed at the centre to improve wildlife care and emergency support. @ChownaMeinBJP @PemaKhanduBJP @moefcc
