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Bear Roams Rishikesh Streets at Night, Sparks Search and Safety Warnings

The Rishikesh Forest Department is actively searching for a bear reported to be roaming the city's rural areas at night. Officials confirm receiving reports and videos from locals, with CCTV footage showing the animal crossing fences and chasing people. Rangers have advised residents to stay indoors after dark and travel in groups if necessary. This incident highlights a concerning trend of bears, typically confined to hilly regions, increasingly appearing in plains areas.

Key Points: Bear Spotted in Rishikesh, Forest Department Launches Search

  • Search launched for roaming bear
  • CCTV shows bear chasing people
  • Locals advised to stay indoors at night
  • Bear movement shifting from hills to plains
2 min read

Uttarakhand: Efforts underway to trace bear in Rishikesh, says forest officials

Forest officials in Rishikesh search for a bear seen roaming city streets at night, damaging property and chasing people. Locals advised to stay indoors.

"We have not found any trace of the bear yet, but the search is ongoing. - Ranger Gambhir Singh"

Rishikesh, January 2

The Rishikesh Forest Department on Friday said a search is underway to trace a bear that has reportedly been roaming the city's rural areas at night.

Speaking to ANI about the incident, Rishikesh Forest Department Ranger Gambhir Singh said reports of a bear roaming the city had been received over the past few days, and that a search is underway.

"We received information about a bear on the night of December 30th and 31st. No such information came on January 1st. Our team has been formed to deal with the situation. There is one bear. We have not found any trace of the bear yet, but the search is ongoing," Gambhir Singh informed.

Singh also stated that locals have been recording videos showing the bear conspicuously roaming the city streets. CCTV footages from the Forest Department also show the bear crossing fences and chasing people and animals in the city at night.

He further advised people to stay indoors at night and to gather in groups if necessary.

"We are making announcements advising people not to go outside at night or go out in groups if it is important," Singh added.

According to an eyewitness, the bear also damaged the boundary wall of a house. The rising movement of bears, which were earlier confined to hilly regions, is now being reported in the plains as well, causing fear among local residents.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Saw the CCTV footage on local news. The bear was just running, probably more scared than the people. We've encroached so much on their habitat, where will they go? Hope the forest team can safely tranquilize and relocate it, not harm it. Jai Hind.
A
Aman W
The announcements are a good step, but what about daytime? People need to go to work, children to school. The department should set up more watchtowers and use drones for tracking. This is becoming a common issue in many Himalayan towns now.
S
Sarah B
I'm visiting Rishikesh next month for a yoga retreat. Should I reconsider? This is alarming. Are the authorities equipped to handle this? I hope the local community is staying safe and following the guidelines.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, the forest department's response seems reactive, not proactive. Reports came in days ago. There should be a permanent rapid response team for human-wildlife conflict in sensitive zones like Rishikesh. Public safety is paramount.
M
Meera T
It damaged a boundary wall? That's powerful. People must not try to take selfies or videos if they see it. Stay indoors like they said. Praying for the safety of all residents and for the bear to be guided back to the forest safely. 🙏

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