Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park Boasts 54 Leopards, Signals Robust Conservation
Maharashtra Forests Minister Ganesh Naik reveals a thriving leopard population of 54 in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, but human-wildlife conflict remains a challenge
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a 104 sq km green oasis amidst Mumbai’s urban sprawl, is now home to 54 leopards, according to the 2024 census, Maharashtra Forests Minister Ganesh Naik announced in the legislative council on Tuesday. The steady rise in leopard numbers—from 35 in 2015 to 41 in 2017, 47 in 2018, 46 in 2019, 52 in 2023, and 54 in 2024—reflects successful habitat conservation efforts in the park, which spans Mumbai and Thane districts.
Naik attributed the population growth to sufficient prey availability, with plans to plant more fruit trees to support herbivores like chital and sambar, which leopards feed on. However, human-leopard conflicts persist, with tragic incidents reported. In 2017, two children—a girl and a boy—were killed in leopard attacks, and another girl lost her life in 2022. The state provided Rs 20 lakh compensation to each victim’s family, in line with legal provisions.
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar highlighted safety concerns, noting that leopards have attacked children in peripheral tribal settlements, where open defecation is common due to inadequate sanitation. Naik responded by outlining measures to mitigate conflicts, including a partially constructed cement boundary wall, a proposed peripheral road, and CCTV installations for enhanced patrolling. Satellite technology is also planned to monitor wildlife movements, though details remain undisclosed.
Also Read: Renowned Tailor Madhav Agasti Honored with Bharat Gaurav Award at British Parliament
To address human encroachment, Naik revealed plans to rehabilitate 2,000 families from 22 tribal padas within SGNP, relocating them to 90 acres in Aarey Colony. Fencing around these settlements and toilet provisions are also underway to prevent leopard intrusions, particularly at night.
Despite conservation successes, environmentalists caution that urban expansion around SGNP and Aarey threatens this delicate coexistence. The park’s leopard population, one of the highest densities globally at 26 per 100 sq km, underscores the need for sustained efforts to balance wildlife preservation with human safety
Also Read: Bombay HC Denies Relief to Gangster Abu Salem, Says 25-Year Jail Term Not Yet Complete