In recent times, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) has been making waves in Mumbai’s urban sprawl. Traditionally found in mangroves and grasslands, this elusive creature is now being spotted in bustling neighbourhoods like Kharghar. Once confined to natural habitats, the golden jackal is now adapting to the growing urbanisation of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The Golden Jackal’s Habitat and Population
Golden jackals are commonly found along the coastline of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, especially in the mangroves. With an estimated population of 80,000 across India, the exact number in MMR remains uncertain. These creatures are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, due to threats such as habitat destruction, hunting, and diseases. However, urbanisation is increasingly encroaching upon their natural habitats.
The Impact of Urbanisation on Jackals
B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation, highlighted that the construction of projects like the Coastal Road and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has severely impacted the habitats of jackals, forcing them into urban areas. As a result, sightings of golden jackals have increased, particularly in Navi Mumbai. A recent survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society India revealed that jackals are predominantly nocturnal, but daytime sightings are becoming more common due to the mounting pressure to adapt to human-dominated landscapes.
Rising Incidents and Human-Jackal Conflicts
In Kharghar, two carcasses of golden jackals were found recently, with post-mortem reports indicating that vehicle collisions were the cause of death. Seema Tank, Animal Welfare Officer of Maharashtra, noted that jackals are increasingly seen in urban areas due to the loss of their natural homes. These animals, once shy and elusive, are now venturing into community spaces, showing significant behavioural changes.
Factors Contributing to Jackal Sightings
Environmentalists point to three main reasons for the rise in jackal sightings:
- Loss of Habitat: Construction and encroachments have forced jackals into urban areas.
- Stray Dogs: The presence of stray dogs in urban areas may influence jackals to venture closer to human settlements.
- Adaptation: Jackals are adapting to their changing environment and are now seen in more urban spaces.
Challenges in Preventing Jackal Accidents
Pawan Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden with the state forest department, explained that as jackals expand their territories, they often cross highways, leading to fatal accidents. Preventing such incidents is challenging, as fencing express highways is not feasible, and restricting their natural movement is not possible.
The Role of Golden Jackals in Ecosystem Maintenance
Golden jackals play a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of mangrove and grassland ecosystems. They help control the population of smaller animals and contribute to the ecological balance. However, habitat loss due to encroachments threatens their survival, and conservationists stress the need for a proper census to track their populations and movement patterns.
The Need for Accurate Population Data
Although no official census has been conducted to determine the population of jackals, experts believe that using surveys with camera traps can help estimate their numbers. These surveys have shown that jackals are present in 37 of 44 locations in East Mumbai and 20 of 26 locations in West Mumbai. In Navi Mumbai, the density of jackals is recorded at 63 captures per 100 trap nights.
Understanding ‘Trap Nights’ and ‘Relative Abundance Index’
A ‘trap night’ refers to a camera trap set up and working for a full night in a specific location. The ‘relative abundance index’ measures how often jackals are observed in a particular area compared to other locations. These metrics help researchers understand the activity and population density of jackals in different regions.
The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Jackals
Experts believe that the number of sightings of jackals does not directly correlate with their population. Seasonal changes, such as high tides and monsoons, often force jackals onto roads closer to human settlements. Despite their increased presence, jackals do not pose a direct threat to humans, as they are typically shy and avoid human interaction.
Conservation Efforts and Proposed Solutions
To protect golden jackals, conservationists have proposed several measures:
- Focused Protection: A dedicated initiative, similar to Project Tiger, to protect jackals and their habitats.
- Radio-Collaring: Using radio collars to track jackals and understand their movement patterns.
- Veterinary Hospital: Operationalising the veterinary hospital in Jui Nagar to help injured or displaced animals.
- Habitat Protection: Transferring mangroves from agencies like CIDCO and JNPA to the Forest Department for better conservation.
Coexistence of Humans and Jackals
In areas like the BSNL Quarters in Gorai and the BARC area of Chembur, residents have coexisted peacefully with golden jackals for generations. As Navi Mumbai expands, it is crucial for residents, authorities, and environmentalists to strike a balance between development and conservation to ensure that both urbanisation and wildlife can thrive.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is the primary reason for the increasing sightings of golden jackals in urban areas like Navi Mumbai?
a) Increased population of jackals
b) Loss of natural habitats due to urbanisation
c) Attraction to human food sources
d) Migration from other regions
Answer: b) Loss of natural habitats due to urbanisation
2. What is a ‘trap night’ in wildlife research?
a) A method of tracking animal behavior
b) A camera trap set up for one full night in a specific location
c) A time when animals are most active
d) A method for counting animal populations
Answer: b) A camera trap set up for one full night in a specific location
3. What role do golden jackals play in their ecosystem?
a) They are predators of large animals
b) They help maintain biodiversity by controlling smaller animal populations
c) They pollinate plants
d) They primarily feed on human waste
Answer: b) They help maintain biodiversity by controlling smaller animal populations
4. Which of the following is a proposed solution to protect golden jackals?
a) Limiting their movement to specific areas
b) Building more roads through their habitats
c) Radio-collaring jackals to track their movement
d) Reducing the number of stray dogs in urban areas
Answer: c) Radio-collaring jackals to track their movement
5. Where have residents peacefully coexisted with golden jackals for generations?
a) Kharghar
b) BSNL Quarters in Gorai and BARC area of Chembur
c) Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
d) Navi Mumbai
Answer: b) BSNL Quarters in Gorai and BARC area of Chembur