Need census, radio-collaring of jackal to protect it, say activists

Navi Mumbai: A survey by Wildlife Conservation Society – India shows golden jackals were spotted in 20 out of 26 locations in the western part of Mumbai and 37 out of 44 in the eastern side of the city. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary along the Airoli-Mulund-Bhandup stretch had the highest number (137) of captures per 100 trap nights, and Thane the lowest (27) while Navi Mumbai had 63 captures per 100 trap nights respectively. The highest number of sightings in mangrove areas and near the creek. However, during high tides and monsoons, jackals are reported as walking on roads and bunds.
For the first time, a baseline survey on golden jackal distribution in Mumbai Metropolitan Region research project report was put out. The survey by Wildlife Conservation Society–India, in collaboration with the Mangrove Foundation, revealed several interesting aspects of the life of the jackal. The activity pattern shown by golden jackals in the study site was mainly nocturnal, with peaks during dawn and dusk. This was inversely proportional to the activity pattern humans showed using this landscape. Golden jackals were found chasing stray dogs in the study landscape.
To protect the golden jackal, the govt must declare ‘Project Jackal', along the lines of ‘Project Tiger', NatConnect Foundation says. This should be followed by the census -- count and radio-collar them to track their movement and understand their habitat requirement.
People living around BSNL Quarters, Gorai, have been sharing the space with golden jackals for generations, existing peacefully with them. and other fauna. The main reasons for golden jackals coming out to the human residents are the presence of garbage dumps and domestic dogs, says animal activist Seema Tonk.
Also, golden jackals are being besieged in their natural habitat due to recent infrastructure projects like the coastal road and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing, says NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar.
Recent instances of golden jackals crawling out of their natural habitat, and entering urban settlements is alarming, say environmentalists. They warned that the newfound man-animal conflict threatens biodiversity and ecological balance in Mumbai and the metro region. The year gone by saw several cases of the jackal venturing into the metropolitan region, leading to cases of man-animal conflict. The golden jackal is protected under Wildlife Act, 1972.
Fires breaking out in mangroves are also forcing the golden jackal out of their habitat, as also other wildlife species. Vested interests are encouraging burning and destruction of mangroves to get dry land. A major reason for this is that many patches of mangroves are still with different public agencies, and the tidal plants have not yet been handed over to the state forest department for protection and conservation. "This is a gross violation of Bombay high court's order," says Kumar. A contempt petition in this regard filed against some agencies by non-profit organisation Vanashakti is pending in the high court.
Animal lover Pradeep Choudhary had recently captured images of jackals headed to Kharghar's residential colonies. "Dogs run after them and even bite them. People who tend to get scared throw stones or even lay traps to kill them," said animal rescuer Amar Gurang. "I have seen 2-3 families of golden jackals along Thane Creek between Koparkhairane and Digha. They emerge from the jungle during the night-time in search of rats, cats and snakes."
Only recently, a curious, unfamiliar beast ventured out of its jungle lair in the stillness of the night and attacked a woman at Anushakti Nagar. The tawny dog-like creature turned out to be a golden jackal, exhibiting signs of rabies. The canine was later captured by forest dept officials and volunteers from NGO Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare. Similar attacks on humans have occurred with alarming frequency in Chembur-Trombay area, where five golden jackals were in fact found dead. Nocturnal sightings of jackals, previously uncommon visitors in Kharghar, have been reported recently, says Tonk.
Golden jackals, with a host of wildlife — snakes, cats, insects, and monkeys — is part of the ecosystem. As mangroves come under attack by encroachers and infrastructure projects, biodiversity gets disturbed.
Besides, there is also the need for a veterinary hospital in Navi Mumbai in order to handle golden jackals and the entire mangrove-wetland ecosystem. The building is ready at Jui Nagar, but the hospital is not functional.