<p>Understanding the dietary composition of the Himalayan brown bear (HBB; <i>Ursus arctos isabellinus</i> Horsfield, 1826) is crucial for successful conservation and management strategies, particularly in the sensitive ecosystems of the Himalayas. In this study we analyzed 274 scat samples, to assess the food habits of the study species, with an emphasis on determining the main food items consumed across its whole distribution range in the Indian Himalayas. Our results indicated that HBB has a predominately herbivorous diet, with 78% of the scat samples containing only the plant matter, and 22% comprising both plant and animal matter. Results based on frequency of occurrence revealed that graminoids had the highest frequency (92.7%), followed by forbs (50.3%), seeds (30.6%), roots (21.9%), and insects were the least frequent (6.9%). Furthermore, fecal volume analysis emphasized the dominance of plant matter (99%), while animal matter was nominal, accounting only 1% of fecal volume. Moreover, anthropogenic materials such as poultry chicken feathers and plastic debris were found in a few samples, all originating from Ladakh, suggesting occasional scavenging or garbage foraging. Based on Estimated Dietary Energy Content, our results found that plant matter contributed most of the dietary energy (93%), while animal matter contributed only 7%. The Index of Relative Importance identified graminoids as the most significant dietary component for HBB in the Western Himalayas, followed by forbs and seeds. These findings highlight the dependence of HBB on plant-based food sources across the study region, and emphasize the potential threats posed by habitat degradation and human-associated waste.</p>