Sloth Bear

Context (DTE): Conflict between humans and sloth bears in Karnataka was in the news.
Sloth Bear are also called Honey Bear.
They live in dry and moist forests and in some tall grasslands.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan and Nepal, predominantly in lowland areas.
Food Habits: Eat termites and ants, fond of honey.
Sloth bears do not hibernate.
Tribes associated: Kalandars-Karnataka. Use bears for street performance to earn their living.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix I | WPA, 1972: Schedule I
Threats: Habitat loss, poaching for body parts, captured for use in performances and hunted because of their aggressive behavior and destruction of crops.
India has four sloth bear sanctuaries that are home to over 620 of these animals.
The Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Karnataka, Ballari district, is Asia’s first sloth bear sanctuary.

What is Mahua?

It is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 16-20 m, with a grey trunk.
It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
In India, it is known by names differing by region such as mahwa, llupai, honey tree, butter tree.
Its flowers are green or pink.
Mahua’s superficial root system binds the soil and limits erosion.
It is also used in soil reclamation on lateritic soils.
Its mention can be found in Sanskrit texts dating as early as the 2nd Century BC.
Seed oil: used to make soaps, candles, fertiliser.
Famine in Bengal (1770): Mahua is said to have saved thousands of people from starvation.
Nutritional value: it is a good source of Vitamin C and A.
Oil crop: can be used in biodiesel production.
Indigenous tribes & Mahua
- Sacred tree
- Provides indigenous communities with the ‘3Fs’ — Feed, Fodder and Fuel.
- one of the major Non-Timber Forest Products collected from the forest.
- It has alcoholic properties. Mahua flowers are distilled to produce alcohol.
- Its smell attracts elephants and sloth bears. (Cause of human animal conflict)

Mahua