'Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park Home To 54 Leopards': Maharashtra Forests Minister Ganesh Naik

Mumbai: The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a sprawling forest in the heart of Mumbai, comprises 54 leopards, according to the census done in 2024, Maharashtra Forests Minister Ganesh Naik said on Tuesday.

Replying to a question in the legislative council, Naik said the population of leopards has steadily grown because of conservation of their natural habitat.

There were 35 leopards in 2015, 41 in 2017, 47 in 2018, 46 in 2019, 52 in 2023 and 54 in 2024, he said.

In 2017, two children --- a girl and a boy --- were killed in leopard attack, and in 2022, a girl was killed in a similar incident. An assistance of Rs 20 lakh each was given to their kin in accordance with the law, the minister said.

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) spreads over an area of 104 sq km in Mumbai and neighbouring satellite cities of Thane.

Naik said there is sufficient prey for leopards in the park. The government has decided to plant more fruit trees to ensure there is enough food for herbivores that are also leopards' prey.

Pravin Darekar (BJP) said there are cases where leopards have attacked children living on the periphery of the park, noting they go out (of their houses) to answer nature's call. There is no boundary wall for the park, he said.

Naik said there is a proposal to build a cement wall along the border and some of it is already in place. There is also a proposal to build a peripheral road within the park and have CCTVs installed due to which patrolling and monitoring can be more effective.

It has also been decided to use satellite technology to monitor the animals in the park, the minister said but did not elaborate further.

There are 22 tribal padas (settlements) in the SGNP and it is proposed to rehabilitate 2,000 families out of the park and build houses for them. It has also been decided to use 90 acres of land at the Aarey Colony in Mumbai to settle the original inhabitant families, he said.

The minister said he has issued directions to fence the padas so that leopards cannot enter houses at night, and to make provisions for toilets.

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