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India Today
06-05-2025
- General
- India Today
What 54 leopards thriving in Mumbai's green lung means
In a fascinating insight into the ecology and avifauna of Mumbai's largest green lung, a survey has found the presence of 54 leopards in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). This is an increase from the 47 leopards detected in a 2018 survey. Located on the northern fringe of Mumbai, the SGNP, or the Borivali National Park as it is also referred to, is the largest such park within city limits in the world. The national park division is spread over an area of 198.34 sq km (including the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary), spanning parts of the Mumbai (suburban), Palghar and Thane districts. It also houses the Buddhist-era Kanheri Caves, which date back to between the first century BC and ninth century AD, and the Tulsi and Vihar lakes, which supply water to Mumbai. The survey was conducted using camera traps at 90 locations in SGNP, Aarey Milk Colony and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, from February to June 2024, by the Maharashtra forest department and the Wildlife Conservation Society India. The project was funded by the forest department, WeWork India Management Limited and Wildlife Conservation Society India. The survey, results of which have been released, has identified 54 individual leopards—36 females, 16 males and two unidentified individuals. Three female leopards who were first photo-captured in 2015 were re-captured in 2024, indicating their survival in the habitat. The SGNP houses many endangered species, and its flora and fauna include free-ranging leopards, 170 butterfly species, two dozen species of ants, 274 birds, including migratory birds, and captive tigers and lions. 'The continued presence of these magnificent leopards in such a densely populated urban region speaks volumes about nature's resilience—and the importance of conserving the green spaces they depend on. Scientific monitoring exercises like this one are vital for understanding the status of our wildlife and planning informed conservation actions,' said Anita Patil, conservator of forests, and field director, SGNP. D. Stalin of the NGO Vanashakti said that while the presence of 54 leopards was a good sign, it also pointed to a need to expand the habitat. 'It is a good sign, but it emphasises on the need for these wild cats to get more space as they are territorial animals. Otherwise, they will get into conflict with humans,' he noted. Stalin pointed to how the SGNP lacked corridors for the leopards to disperse. Subscribe to India Today Magazine
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
54 leopards well and thriving in national park: Census
MUMBAI: The state forest department and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) authorities have released the latest census figures of leopards, and revealed that there are a minimum of 54 leopards in the premises and surrounding landscapes. SGNP is one of the rare national parks that is surrounded by a metropolis and has survived despite high human interference. The large-scale camera-trap survey was led by the Wildlife Conservation Society–India, and the Maharashtra forest department, aided by WeWork India Management Limited. 'This reaffirms the city's extraordinary story of coexistence between humans and big cats,' said a forest officer. The survey, conducted between February and June 2024, spanned SGNP, Aarey Milk Colony, and the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS). Teams deployed camera traps at 57 locations in SGNP and 33 locations in TWLS. Over 50 forest department staffers were closely involved throughout, with specialised training sessions conducted to build their capacity in wildlife monitoring. In SGNP and Aarey Milk Colony, 54 individual leopards were identified, including 36 females and 16 males. In the case of two leopards, the gender could not be identified. Four leopard cubs were documented during the survey. A large part of Aarey Milk Colony was declared a protected forest during the tenure of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government. Three adult male leopards were identified in TWLS. Three female leopards first photo-captured in 2015 were re-captured again in 2024, showing nine years of survival within SGNP. The camera traps also recorded a rich diversity of mammals, including deer, sambars, jungle cats, palm civets, mouse deer and rusty-spotted cats. During the exercise, a significant incident highlighted the challenges faced by Mumbai's leopards in navigating an increasingly urbanised landscape. A male leopard, initially photographed inside TWLS, travelled approximately nine kilometres across dense human settlements, major highways and railway lines to reach Vasai Fort—a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the big cats. 'The continued presence of these magnificent leopards in such a densely populated urban region speaks volumes about Nature's resilience—and the importance of conserving the green spaces they depend on,' said SGNP's field director Anita Patil. 'Scientific monitoring exercises like this one are vital for understanding the status of our wildlife and planning informed conservation actions.' SGNP had conducted a leopard census after COVID-19 but the reports were not published.
