India, Nov. 19 -- In a first, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has issued orders to shoot Himalayan black bears in Pauri district even as the animals have caused 71 attacks leading to the deaths of six people and 60 livestock across the state in the past three months.

Experts are pointing to climate change as a likely factor responsible for the attacks as global warming has interfered with the animals' natural hibernation cycles.

Paithani in the Thalisain block of Pauri district has become a hotspot for black bear attacks. So far, bears have killed 40 cattle there. Two village residents have also been injured. The attacks have caused a virtual curfew in the area.

Pauri district is not alone. A bear attacked a group of women who had go...