Movement of humans in core forest area and construction of buildings around the forest resulting in man-animal conflict - Sunish Subramanian Kunju (Wildlife Activist)
© Photo Courtesy : Mukesh Trivedi, Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Sameer Shaikh, Powai Info
POWAI | Mumbai : On Friday May 29, 2014 Plant &
Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) Helpline 09833480388 received many calls from
alert citizens about a
leopard being sighted on the mountain behind Deloitte building and which is
easily seen from Supreme Business Park at Hiranandani, Powai. We
immediately informed Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane Mr. K. P. Singh and
Range Forest Officer, Mumbai Mr. Anil Toradmal and as per the
feedback from them, we have reported the same to Forest Control Room Nos. 022
25445459 / 25442119 too. On Saturday May 30, 2014 Forest Staff visited the spot
at evening, wherein the locals present there confirmed the presence of leopard in the green cover area on the hill. As per our information, the
hill has a small water body were this Big Cat comes and drinks water regularly
and there is a fix place on a tree branch were it rests in the evening. The
area where this big cat is regularly spotted is a small green cover which is
untouched till now and the surrounded area is fully developed. As it is
the only water in the area, such animals visit it for quenching their thirst
during summer and also there is easy availability of stray animals for food. As
this Big Cat Leopards are a highly adaptable species it
lives in and around many human dominated and agricultural areas.
PAWS-Mumbai urges citizen
should take some preventive steps such that vicious animals should not be
provoked nor should be children allowed to roam in such isolated areas adjacent
to forest.
They should not attempt to scare the leopard away by making loud noises or
bursting fire crackers. Residents should not crowd around the leopard spotting
area and nor try to corner it. They should not try to go near it to click
photographs or take pets for a stroll in such areas. Security guards of colony
or housing society should carry torch at night and try to be in 2- 3 in groups
and swatch on all the lights. Vicinity should be garbage free. If we not follow
this simple steps they only frightens the animal and as a result animal will be
panic, due to which animal and human both will be in danger.
As national parks are the only place have natural
habitats and which is need to be protected legally. The permanent solution for
this problem is that the law-enforcing authorities should not
tolerate encroachments on the forest area by hutments nor permit construction
of buildings near it. Forest department should develop artificial water
bodies inside forest / national parks before summer season arrive which can be
maintained or adopted by NGO. This is not the solution. Every
authority has to be intolerant of any development that creates stress upon the
habitat of flora and fauna of forest land and also should create mass awareness
about the need to live alone all living beings in the forest to prevent any
more man-animal conflict. As per the recent guideline "sighting of a
leopard doesn't means it should be trapped, so department should create
awareness said Sunish Subramanian Kunju, an Wildlife Activist & Hony. Animal Welfare Officer associated with PAWS-Mumbai.
From where this Leopard may be come ? The nearest natural habitat for Leopard in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
From where this Leopard may be come ? The nearest natural habitat for Leopard in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
For more information and guidance call Sunish Subramanian Kunju on 09892179542 - 09833480388
PRESS RELEASE ULOADED BY : Nisha Kunju (Administrator - Cum - PRO : PAWS-Mumbai)
PRESS RELEASE ULOADED BY : Nisha Kunju (Administrator - Cum - PRO : PAWS-Mumbai)
