Dogs: Friend or Foe?

In the Western Himalayas, free-ranging dogs are becoming a serious challenge for both conservation and public health. Unlike other threats, dogs occupy a unique position—they can be both a nuisance and a companion, evoking sympathy even as they disrupt wildlife and human communities. Their numbers are growing, thanks to food sources from tourism and military outposts, leading them to venture further into the wild.

The role of dogs varies across communities: in agricultural villages, they damage crops; in agro-pastoralist settings, they threaten small livestock but also protect fields from wild ungulates. For nomadic groups like the Gaddi and Changpa, dogs are vital guardians against theft, predators, and other dogs. These differences underscore the need for tailored solutions to mitigate the impacts of dogs across various high-altitude regions.

Lahaul: Exploring Human-Wildlife-Dog Dynamics

Our research in Lahaul delves into the intricate interactions between dogs, wildlife (including wolves and red foxes), and agro-pastoral communities. By employing a social-ecological framework, we assess how human-dog-wildlife interactions are shaped by land-use practices. Social surveys capture community perceptions and experiences, while ecological surveys monitor dog-wildlife interactions. This dual approach helps identify patterns of cooperation, competition, and conflict, providing insights for adaptive management strategies.

Spiti: Tracking Disease and Behavioral Impacts

In Spiti, the visible impacts of dogs—chasing and killing livestock and wildlife—are alarming, but the hidden effects may be even more critical. Chief among these is the potential for disease transmission. Dogs can carry pathogens harmful to humans (e.g., rabies virus) and wildlife (e.g., canine distemper virus). The porous boundary between villages and wild pastures enables dogs to move freely, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

To better understand these dynamics, we are studying the movement patterns of free-ranging dogs around Kibber village. Using GPS collars, we tracked 14 dogs for six months, revealing diverse behaviors. Some dogs wandered kilometers into alpine pastures, while others stayed within village boundaries. Surprisingly, red foxes near villages might interact more frequently with these resident dogs than with far-ranging ones. This information is being integrated into models to simulate disease transmission and predict outbreak scenarios.

Community-Led Solutions

Addressing the challenges posed by free-ranging dogs requires more than just research; it demands active engagement with local communities and authorities to implement practical solutions. Central to these efforts is a long-term dog census, conducted by the local field team since 2016, to monitor the population of free-ranging dogs. This initiative has been instrumental in guiding conservation efforts toward vulnerable regions, ensuring targeted and effective interventions.

Sterilization and Vaccination

In Spiti Valley, we collaborate with local veterinarians and communities to organize sterilization and vaccination camps. In 2022, residents of two villages sterilized 59 feral dogs. By 2024, six villages in the valley had participated in at least one round of sterilization camps, covering a significant percentage of the adult feral dog population. The goal is to reach 80–100% sterilization coverage. Vaccinating dogs against rabies not only ensures they are healthier but also reduces aggression, benefiting both humans and wildlife in the region.

Field team members facilitate these camps, providing support for equipment and materials, while community members care for the dogs post-surgery. This collaboration exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can tackle large-scale conservation and public health challenges.

Garbage Management and Carcass Disposal

To reduce food availability for dogs, we support communities in improving garbage management and establishing carcass disposal areas accessible to vultures but not dogs. These measures help minimize interactions between dogs and wildlife, addressing one of the root causes of the problem.

The challenges posed by free-ranging dogs in the Western Himalaya are multifaceted, requiring sustained efforts and collaboration between researchers, communities, and policymakers. By combining scientific research with community-led initiatives, we aim to mitigate the impacts of dogs on wildlife, reduce disease transmission risks, and support healthy ecosystems.