Livestock inside SGNP worries wildlife activists

Tourists visiting Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are ending up wondering if they are indeed in a protected forest, as they see herds of goats as well as buffaloes grazing inside the forest area.

While tourists might find it amusing, several morning walkers are very upset as goats grazing inside the park have even damaged the plantation initiated by them on July 1 as part of the state government’s ambitious four-crore tree plantation drive. Meanwhile, experts too have raised their concern citing that wildlife could be at risk of contracting diseases from these livestock.

Social activist and member of the morning walkers’ group, Gopal Jhaveri, informed that these livestock were mostly spotted near the Trimurti area apart from other locations inside the park. Jhaveri added that he had already lodged complaints with SGNP officials and tweeted the images of the livestock roaming in the park to Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

“Livestocks are not to be allowed to enter a protected forest area as there is always a fear of wild animals coming in contact with them and contacting diseases,” shared wildlife conservationist Kedar Gore.

“It needs to be investigated who owns these livestock and how are they being allowed to graze in a forest land,” stated Jhaveri.