Stray Dog Population Control in India's Desert National Park Needs to Be Improved

A stray dog feeding on a spiny-tailed lizard

In some parts of India, stray dogs pose a threat to the country's wildlife. These places include certain protected areas where there are no powerful predators such as lions, tigers, and leopards. One of these places is Desert National Park in Rajasthan. Situated near the towns of Barmer and Jaisalmer, it is one of the largest national parks covering an area of 1,221 square miles and is home to a rich variety of desert wildlife. One of the most iconic species of animals that makes its home in this desert oasis is the critically endangered great Indian bustard. With as many as 150 of these birds remaining in India, it is teetering on the brink of extinction due to loss of habitat and hunting. Desert National Park is the last refuge for this majestic bird, where its numbers have started to rise thanks to joint conservation efforts of the forest department and several community-minded people. However, the presence of stray dogs is driving the bustards away from their habitat. The birds, known to be shy by nature, are also said to not return to the area from where they had been driven off by the dogs. But it is not just the birds that are threatened by the dogs. According to wildlife biologist Dr. Sumit Dookia of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprasth University, the dogs have also been observed hunting blackbuck, chinkara, and even nilgai. An extensive strategy to curb the threat of dogs is needed to prevent them from causing further damage to the ecosystem. The forest department in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had launched a sterilization program targeted at dogs roaming near bustard enclosures in Desert National Park. The program achieved minimal success but its second phase is still anticipated. Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Kapil Chandrawal stated that the department is currently capturing dogs and releasing them outside, but that does not solve the problem as a whole. He further added that the department is also conducting an awareness program in local villages asking them not to encourage the stray dog population in the area.

A pair of great Indian bustards in Desert National Park

I strongly feel that efforts to control the stray dog population in Desert National Park needs to be significantly improved in order to protect the park's wildlife. Simply catching the dogs and then releasing them outside the national park will not make any difference on the long run, as these animals would always return. There should be an initiation of adoption programs on a large-scale with involvement of animal welfare departments from across the country. These programs should include an establishment of animal shelters specifically designed for the welfare of these dogs, where people can come and see which one(s) they want to adopt. Before putting up any dog for adoption, these animals need to be thoroughly examined for any diseases and parasites and treated accordingly. India's stray dogs roaming in the vicinity of protected areas with the absence of powerful predators are a menacing threat to the wildlife. Not only do they prey on the animals, but also spread diseases such as rabies and canine distemper. Desert National Park is currently the last strong hold of the great Indian bustard and any delay in bettering its stray dog situation would further push the bird towards the brink of extinction.

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