A series of sloth bear attacks in and around the Palamu Tiger Reserve has left five people injured in four separate incidents over the past week, raising concerns over increased human-bear encounters during the monsoon season. All the victims survived and are receiving medical treatment.

According to forest officials, four victims were attacked while collecting wild mushrooms inside the forest, while another was injured during agricultural work near the forest boundary. Most of the incidents occurred in the Mahuadarn range of the reserve, where villagers frequently enter forests to collect seasonal produce during the rainy season.

Palamu Tiger Reserve Field Director S.R. Natesha explained that the incidents are seasonal encounters rather than conventional human-wildlife conflict. During the monsoon, both villagers and sloth bears forage in the same areas for mushrooms, fruits, nuts, bulbs, tubers and insects, increasing the likelihood of accidental encounters. Bears, particularly females with cubs, can become aggressive if surprised or threatened at close range.

Forest officials have advised local residents to avoid entering forests during the early morning and late afternoon, when bear activity is highest, and to remain alert while collecting forest produce. They also noted that sloth bears generally do not pursue humans over long distances and usually attack only when they feel cornered or perceive a threat.

The Jharkhand government has recently enhanced compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict. Under the revised policy, compensation ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹2 lakh for injuries, ₹3.5 lakh for permanent disability, and ₹10 lakh in case of death. A dedicated ₹10 lakh corpus fund has also been created for each Divisional Forest Officer to ensure quicker disbursement of relief to affected families.

Forest authorities have urged communities living around Palamu Tiger Reserve to exercise caution during the monsoon, when overlapping foraging activities of people and wildlife significantly increase the risk of encounters.

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