Concerns Rise Over Leopard Presence Near Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road in Mumbai
Mumbai, 12th February 2024: Amid concerns raised by a resident from the community, heightened cooperation with forest authorities is underway to address the presence of a leopard near their vicinity, emphasizing the potential danger it poses.
In Mumbai, specifically near the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, a leopard sighting has stirred apprehension among residents and others in the vicinity, as per a statement from a forest official on Sunday.
The alarming presence of the leopard was captured on CCTV footage near a housing complex situated near the Aarey forest, and subsequently disseminated widely across various social media platforms.
Expressing their worries about the leopard’s proximity to their community, residents have underscored the potential risks involved. In response, forest personnel have heightened monitoring efforts and commenced nightly patrols in the area to ensure the safety of the populace.
Citizens are urged to promptly report any leopard sightings to the forest department’s toll-free helpline at 1926 to aid in swift intervention and management.
Pawan Sharma, founder and president of RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare), offered insights, highlighting that leopard sightings in suburban Mumbai, particularly around SGNP (Sanjay Gandhi National Park) or Aarey, do not necessarily indicate imminent peril. He attributed such encounters to wildlife’s natural tendency to seek easy prey in human settlements.
To mitigate potential risks, Sharma advised citizens to exercise caution by avoiding dimly lit areas at night, ensuring well-lit surroundings, accompanying small children and pets outdoors, and encouraging security personnel to maintain vigilance with the use of torches during nighttime patrols.
