Nature Strikes Back: Golden Jackal Attacks Raise Alarm in Chembur

Mumbai, Chembur: Human-wildlife conflict is intensifying in the city, as a golden jackal bit a 22-year-old man on Monday, marking the second attack in recent weeks. This follows an earlier incident on November 14, when a jackal attacked nine-year-old Mohammad Ayan Mastan Shaikh in Trombay.

According to eyewitnesses, the November 14 attack occurred at around 4:30 PM. The jackal appeared suddenly from behind and bit Mohammad Ayan on his thigh. His mother, Barkat Nisha Shaikh, recounted, "My son was playing outside in our neighborhood when a neighbor informed us he had been bitten by a dog. We rushed to the location, where a girl explained it wasn't a dog but a jackal. We quickly took him to the BMC-run Shatabdi Hospital. So far, he has received three injections, including an anti-rabies shot, and will be given one more injection on December 11."

Experts warn these encounters are not random. Rapid urbanization and mangrove destruction are driving golden jackals out of their habitats into residential areas, forcing the animals to stray in search of food and shelter.

Pawan Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden, explains, "The mangroves are critical habitats. As they disappear, wildlife has no choice but to adapt, often clashing with human communities."

Forest Department Steps Up

The Maharashtra Forest Department is responding with community awareness programs to prevent panic and ensure safe co-existence:

• Educate residents on identifying wildlife and responding calmly.

• Promote reporting sightings to forest authorities for timely action.

• Discourage littering, which attracts wildlife.

Why It Matters

Golden jackals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and disturbing or harming them carries strict penalties. These conflicts underscore a larger issue: a fragile balance between urban expansion and ecological preservation.

A Call to Action

The Chembur incidents are a wake-up call. Safeguarding wildlife corridors, restoring mangroves, and fostering public awareness are vital for preventing such encounters. Urban spaces must find harmony with nature, or conflicts like these will persist.

As cities grow, it’s not just nature intruding on human spaces—it’s humans stepping into nature’s domain. Coexistence isn’t optional; it’s the only path forward.