MUMBAI: Leopards at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are not a rare sight, particularly for those living in or around the forest. But increasing instances of leopard attacks and sightings is making experts wonder if access to easy prey has increased the concentration of leopards in the national park, particularly on the periphery.
As per the latest count, SGNP has around 21-22 leopards in an area of 103 square kilometers. Ideally, a single leopard's prey area is about 10 kilometers or more depending upon the prey base. Hence, if one goes by the animal habits in a natural habitat, the national park can sustain only 12-13 leopards at the most. However, massive encroachments and proximity to easy prey near human settlements has increased the prey base and thereby the concentration of leopards. Many feel that the leopard population figures might be inflated.
According to forest officials and wildlife experts, the usage or prey area for all carnivores is dependent on the availability of food. In a natural habitat, leopards have to move longer distances to catch a prey. This is why there would be one leopard per 10 square kilometers. In African countries, the area per leopard is as high as 400 kms. "However, when humans are around, the entire dynamics change. There is abundance of food in the form of cattle and dogs. Hence, leopards have to travel much less. The area of prey automatically shrinks with more density of prey," said Vidya Athreya, biologist, Centre for Wildlife Studies. Athreya said that the periphery of SGNP is dense with people.
Forest officials said that leopards from the forest beyond SGNP boundaries may also have crossed over in search of easy prey. "There are no boundaries for animals. They can come from Thane, Nagla block or even beyond," said Sunil Limaye, chief forest conservator, SGNP. "Also, when the prey base is less, there is a natural tendency for leopards to breed less and vice versa," he added.
Wildlife conservationists feel that this trend may not augur well for the animals and humans both. Already, there have been many instances of man-animal conflict where leopards have attacked children and women in the dark. Also, it is ideal to keep the natural order of things then to manipulate it.
"Due to human intrusions in the forest, there has been a loss of habitat for the animals. They come and prey outside only because of lack of prey within. This is why they can be spotted so easily wandering into tribal hamlets and even buildings," said a wildlife enthusiast.
"Human presence near or within the forest will only shrink the cover for animals leaving them vulnerable to many illegal activities like poaching or random hunting," he added. He said that this trend may have increased concentration, but not the actual population of leopards.
Environmentalist, Debi Goenka said that the leopard figures could be inflated.
Athreya said that if the area is cleaner and free of garbage, the order will be restored and man-animal interaction will automatically reduce.
