Trouble In The Clouds

Rise in feral dog population has started to affect wildlife conservation in Sikkim

- Sujal Pradhan

Sikkim is witnessing a new ecological problem due to the increase in feral dog population. These dogs have become a menace not only for humans but is also posing a threat to wildlife conservation especially Sikkim’s State animal—the Red Panda.

The rising population of feral dogs running in wild packs is causing ecological problems in the higher reaches of Sikkim and requires concerted effort to restore balance. Feral dogs grown as camp-dogs of security forces and local communities outgrow camps and move out. No longer a menace afflicting far flung areas, feral dogs have created problems in urban pockets with the High Court of Sikkim directing the State government to come up with solutions to tackle the rising numbers.

Finding The Root Cause

Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, CS Rao, informs that feral dogs have been a problem for the past few years and the Forest Department is trying to tackle the menace under its Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health (SARAH) programme, a Statewide anti-rabies and animal birth control project started in 2005.