The Forest Department in Thane has significantly increased its vigilance in urban areas bordering forests following a new leopard sighting reported on Friday. The incident occurred at Warli Pada in the Srinagar locality, near the Thane-Mulund border, marking the second such report from forest-adjacent zones in recent days.
Officials Ramp Up Monitoring Efforts
This latest sighting has prompted forest authorities to intensify surveillance to prevent the wild cat from potentially wandering into densely populated residential neighborhoods. Officials confirmed that the location is part of a natural leopard corridor, though actual sightings within residential pockets are uncommon.
"We are installing trap cameras in the nearby forest areas and have alerted residents to report any sighting immediately," stated Mayur Survase, Range Forest Officer (RFO) of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Thane. Despite previous efforts, including camera installation at the Pokhran 2 site, the leopard has managed to evade detection so far.
Advanced Technology and Ground Combing Deployed
Explaining the technical measures, RFO Narendra Muthe detailed that high-sensitivity cameras, capable of capturing even minimal movement, have been deployed. "We also conducted a manual combing operation across a 60-acre under-construction project site and utilized drone surveillance. However, the animal was not spotted during these searches," Muthe added.
Calls for Public Caution Amid Festive and Political Activity
Local activists have called for heightened public awareness, citing increased human movement due to New Year celebrations and ongoing political campaigning in the area. The forest department, while urging calm, has assured that their teams are conducting regular patrols and awareness programs.
The primary advice to residents remains clear: immediately inform the forest authorities of any leopard sighting or unusual activity. The department's strategy combines technological surveillance with community alertness to manage the situation and ensure safety along the urban-forest interface.
