What 54 leopards thriving in Mumbai's green lung means
Located on the northern fringe of Mumbai, the SGNP, or the Borivali National Park as it is also referred to, is the largest such park within city limits in the world.
The national park division is spread over an area of 198.34 sq km (including the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary), spanning parts of the Mumbai (suburban), Palghar and Thane districts. It also houses the Buddhist-era Kanheri Caves, which date back to between the first century BC and ninth century AD, and the Tulsi and Vihar lakes, which supply water to Mumbai.
The survey was conducted using camera traps at 90 locations in SGNP, Aarey Milk Colony and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, from February to June 2024, by the Maharashtra forest department and the Wildlife Conservation Society India. The project was funded by the forest department, WeWork India Management Limited and Wildlife Conservation Society India.
The survey, results of which have been released, has identified 54 individual leopards—36 females, 16 males and two unidentified individuals. Three female leopards who were first photo-captured in 2015 were re-captured in 2024, indicating their survival in the habitat.
The SGNP houses many endangered species, and its flora and fauna include free-ranging leopards, 170 butterfly species, two dozen species of ants, 274 birds, including migratory birds, and captive tigers and lions.
'The continued presence of these magnificent leopards in such a densely populated urban region speaks volumes about nature's resilience—and the importance of conserving the green spaces they depend on. Scientific monitoring exercises like this one are vital for understanding the status of our wildlife and planning informed conservation actions,' said Anita Patil, conservator of forests, and field director, SGNP.
D. Stalin of the NGO Vanashakti said that while the presence of 54 leopards was a good sign, it also pointed to a need to expand the habitat. 'It is a good sign, but it emphasises on the need for these wild cats to get more space as they are territorial animals. Otherwise, they will get into conflict with humans,' he noted. Stalin pointed to how the SGNP lacked corridors for the leopards to disperse.
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With each passing day, their hold tightened like a noose around the neck of a nation gasping for freedom. And thus, the dark reign of Bābur and his cohorts continued, casting a shadow of fear and despair over the land. The author is an architect and historian. This extract has been taken from his book, 'Babur: The Quest for Hindustan', with the permission of the publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Babur delhi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 04, 2025, 10:46 IST News opinion Opinion | Conquest In The Name Of Creed: Babur And The Seizure Of Delhi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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