Local residents from Mulund West shared CCTV footage of a leopard being seen on an internal road located close to the forest boundary
After receiving flak from wildlife experts for randomly trapping a leopard that was spotted at Aarey Colony, forest officials from Mumbai Territorial division are now approaching a similar situation in a far more pragmatic manner. Local residents from Mulund West shared CCTV footage of a leopard being seen on an internal road located close to the forest boundary.
According to forest officials from the Territorial wing, residents of Redwood society, Mulund West on Sunday alerted the department about a leopard that was spotted in the CCTV footage walking near the residential area at around 2 am. Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Kishore Thakre, said, "Leopards have been known to frequent this area as the building and the road where it was spotted, almost share a boundary with Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). We did not want to create panic by sharing the footage on social media. Thus, we decided to approach the building management and bring it to their notice."
The leopard crossing a busy road captured on CCTV in Mulund, Mumbai
Thakre added that he had already informed his staff on Sunday morning to extensively patrol the area. "We have also asked the group 'Mumbaikars for SGNP' that works along with forest department to create awareness on co-existing with leopards and to take sessions with residents so that conflict can be avoided," he said.
Shruti Sawant, resident of Teakwood building said that there was no panic amongst residents but it would be good on part of the building management and forest department to organise awareness sessions so that residents can take precautionary measures. "We understand that it is their territory too so why should the leopard be trapped," she said.
Sawant also stated that there was no demand to trap the leopard from residents. “We understand that it is its territory too so why should it be trapped,” she said.
Sonu Singh, volunteer with Mumbaikars for SGNP team said that the locals were aware about leopard being spotted in the area as these building share boundary wall with the forest. “We have already approached committee members of buildings at Yogi Hills and will be holding a session for them on January 26 after flag hoisting ceremony. where our team will create awareness explaining people basic do's and dont's to avoid conflict with leopards. We plan to speak to residents from the three buildings Redwood, Pinewood and Teakwood and will hold sessions there as well,” he said adding that they will also check if there was any garbage being left uncleared or unattended as it was a major reason that attracted leopards who came looking for dogs feeding on the waste.
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