Census of Bear Population
Census of bear population was first conducted in 1993 and has been repeated annually since then. The number of bears in this period has increased from 19 to 26. The population consists of 4 independent males,S independent females/young males, and 7 mothers with 10 cubs. Litter size ranges from one to two cubs.

Research on Brown Bear:
Movement of bears is monitored by tracking individual animals and families for extended periods. Radio tracking was initiated in late 1996 with assistance from US Fish and Wildlife Service and University of Pretoria, South Africa. Radio collars were placed on six bears, four of which were captured by darting from helicopter, and two were darted from the ground. Adult males cover a distance of over 10 km in one day, and crossed several valleys. Mothers with cubs generally confined themselves to selected valleys. Earliest sighting in the season are in April and the latest in November, which indicates the hibernation period. In the summer, the bears stay above the 3,500 m line. In the winter, they sometimes come down to 3,000 m and below in search of food. Bears spend about 90% of the time in summer in feeding. The diet of the bears consists mainly of roots and grasses. On an average, less than 10% of the scat samples analyzed showed presence of bones, indicating some meat in the diet. Reproductive behavior of the bears has been studied on the basis of assays of teeth. Further research on DNA analysis of blood samples to investigate the degree of inbreeding and study of dietary patterns from investigation of hair samples is in hand.

Monitoring and Control of Human Activities:
Regulation of human activities according to the proposed zoning plan is carried out through the check posts established at the entry points in Deosai, and through the field camp and patrolling in the project area. A handout containing information on Park regulations is provided to all visitors, and vehicles are inspected for arms and explosives and evidence of hunting and poaching. Coordination arrangements have been established with the District Administration, the military, the Superintendent Police, and the
Divisional Forest Officer to enforce regulations in the park area. Several persons involved in selling of bear parts such as gall bladder were arrested and handed over to the authorities. Similarly, poachers trying to catch the golden falcon were also arrested. Killing of fish using explosives has also been stopped through the active vigilance of the project staff.

Preparation of detailed Management Plan:
A detailed management plan for Oeosai National Park has been prepared. The management plan explains the background in which the concepts for Oeosai national Park were developed, covering land tenure patterns, political and policy and context, and physical, biological and cultural aspects. Management objectives are defined on the basis of evaluation of these factors, followed by prescriptions to fulfill the proposed objectives. A zoning plan is also included. A prioritized work program including description and scheduling of activities, organizational and staffing requirements and budgets for implementation are also presented. The Management Plan forms the basis project implementation, and is reviewed and revised on an annual basis in view of experience gained and problems encountered.

Coordination with Local Communities
HWP recognizes that the traditional top-down enforcement based approaches cannot be relied upon for effective protection of environmental resources. Experience in Deosai and other wildlife projects in the country shows that the involvement of local communities is crucial for sustainable management of vulnerable ecological zones. The strength and resources of local communities has to be utilized for sustainable and cost effective solutions. In the past, HWP had maintained close association with the local communities, and has kept them informed on the project plans. The Management Plan also ensures that the main interest of the villagers in Deosai in terms of grazing rights is protected in the proposed park design. The project provides the following incentives to the communities through a
community coordinator to ensure their interest and participation.

Development of ecotourism and training of local staff as guides.
Continued policy of employing staff from neighboring villages to the maximum possible extent.
Design and initiation of development projects for the local communities.

The staff of HWP regularly visits about II villages in the periphery of Deosai. Issues related to protection of wildlife, attacks on domestic animals, sightings of bears and other wildlife, reports on hunting and poaching are discussed and protection strategies are worked out in consultation with people. The basic developmental needs of the villages such as education, health, supply drinking water and irrigation are also discussed. HWP has prepared several proposals for small projects to assist the communities and has submitted these for consideration to potential donors. These projects will be implemented by the communities who will also provide complimentary inputs and resources.

Coordination with Government
The project maintains a close working relationship with the District Administration and the Northern Areas Wildlife Department (NA WD). The check post at Satpara and Sherkuli villages are operated in collaboration with the NA WD, and the staff of NA WD has been involved in the project activities on a regular basis. Liaison is also maintained with the police, the Deputy Commissioner, and the military Brigade Commander in the area. The concerned officials are briefed regularly on project activities, and matters relating to issuance of regulatory orders and coordination on enforcement of regulations
are resolved.

Ecotourism
Tourists are taken on guided tours into the protected zone to sight the bears. Local assistants trained as guides are used for this purpose. Facilities for accommodating tourists in transit to Deosai have been set up adjacent to check post at Satpara. Tent accommodation is also provided at the project campsite at Deosai to accommodate visitors interested in seeing the wildlife. The project aims to develop demand for ecotourism, and build capacity among the local entrepreneurs to benefit from opportunities available in Deosai.

Training of local Staff in Monitoring Activities and Research Support
Initially specialized staff engaged on the project did not belong to the project area, as skills and experience required were not available. Local staff with eight to ten years of school education have been trained for monitoring and research support in the Park area. This has brought the cost of operation down in future, and has provided employment opportunities to the people in the area, who are better suited for work at higher altitudes.

Information and Awareness
The staff of HWP regularly makes presentations on project activities in the local, regional and international forums. Items on project activities are also placed in the national newspapers. In 1996, the project staff assisted the BBC in preparation of a documentary on bio-diversity in Deosai. Photographs and slides documenting various aspects of wildlife and ecology of Deosai are collected and catalogued on a regular basis. In 1997, HWP intends to initiate work on a natural history museum and a visitors centre on Deosai, to be located in Skardu.