There is a reserve forest near Shikaripur taluk in Shivamogga district. It spans an area of more than 1,500 acres. Within this, an area of about 250 acres or more contains over 26,000 sandalwood trees. Protecting these from forest thieves is not an easy task. It requires round-the-clock vigilance.
For this purpose, the Forest Department is using trained dogs along with human staff. As a result, theft and smuggling of sandalwood trees have significantly decreased. According to forest officials, previously, there were more than 10 theft cases in a year. After deploying dogs for protection, the number has dropped to just 1 or 2 cases per year.
This alone indicates that dogs are highly beneficial for efficiently guarding forests that hold valuable plant and wildlife resources. Trained dogs are so effective that they play a more significant role than merely assisting forest staff.
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Dog Assistance for Forest Protection is Common
In recent years, trained dogs have been used for forest protection in India. However, in foreign countries, they are not only used for guarding but also effectively employed in increasing wildlife populations. The reason for this is the exceptional sensory abilities of dogs. Another creature with similar abilities is the dolphin! Dolphins are already being used very effectively for ocean patrolling. In this regard, India lags behind.
Just as forest thieves pose a threat to forest conservation, certain types of insects are also dangerous. To put it simply, a few years ago, white grubs became a severe threat to sugarcane crops in Karnataka. Before anyone realized, they had invaded sugarcane fields. The efforts of farmers and agricultural university scientists to control this were immense. If these pests had been identified early, control measures could have been taken swiftly.
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There are insects that severely damage forest plants. For example, in spruce and pine forests, invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly or the Heterobasidion annosum fungus pose a threat. Trained dogs can accurately detect the egg masses of these pests.
These pests breed and multiply in some corner. It is somewhat difficult for humans to detect them. However, trained dogs can easily spot these dangerous pests and provide information in their own way. This makes forest conservation easier. They also help in various ways, such as detecting signs of forest fires, preventing poaching of wildlife, apprehending forest thieves, and capturing hunters.
Documentation Work
In foreign countries, dogs assigned for forest protection document every case they assist with. Just as rewards are given to efficient forest staff, they are also given to these dogs. In Zimbabwe, a special conservation dog named Shinga detected a hunter hiding more than 4.5 kilometers away. This enabled the staff to quickly apprehend him.
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Helpful in Finding Lost People in Forests
Navigating through dense forests and returning safely without local assistance is challenging. Due to curiosity or during trekking, some people accidentally get separated from their groups or wander aimlessly. Along with this, the water and food they carry often run out quickly. There is also the risk of danger from wild animals. Mobile networks are also unavailable in forests. In such situations, trained dogs can quickly track and help rescue people who have lost their way.
To be continued: The Role of Dogs in Protecting Specific Wildlife
