Leopard movement near residential areas sparks call for ecological safeguards in Navi Mumbai

NAVI MUMBAI: Considering the recent incidents of frequent leopard sightings in the Belapur and Kharghar Hill areas, which has been confirmed by the forest officials, the Forum-Sajag Nagrik Manch, Navi Mumbai has submitted a detailed representation to the Thane Forest Department urging the authorities to restore natural water sources within the forest to prevent wild animals from straying into human settlements in search of water to prevent human-wildlife encounters.Sudhir Dani, the Forum President said, " The primary concern for sighting of leopards in urban areas is due to human encroachment in the natural habitat under the pretext of infrastructure development. Also water scarcity in the forests as the forest department has not made provision for perennial water bodies for the wild life including leopards to quench their thirst, thus compelling the leopards to enter the residential areas."Environmentalist BN Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation said, "This is a classic case of human-animal conflict triggered by relentless encroachment into wild habitats. Intensified blasting and heavy machinery operations across the Kharghar hills — whether for tunnel construction or allegedly unchecked quarrying — as key disruptors of fragile ecosystems. Such sustained disturbances force wildlife to abandon their natural habitats and stray into human settlements in search of safety and food. Alarmingly, hill tunnelling projects do not require an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), creating regulatory gaps that leave sensitive zones vulnerable to unmitigated damage. Infrastructure expansion, pursued without ecological safeguards, is steadily shrinking wildlife corridors and heightening the risk of conflict. Dani said, "The Forum's key demand to creation of watering holes by establish perennial water facilities (artificial or natural) near the foothills of Green Valley (Sector 9) and the Waghoba Temple area in Phanswadi atop Kharghar hills. Also, restoration of an ancient natural lake in CBD-Belapur Sector 8, which is currently in ruins due to illegal debris dumping. Its immediate restoration can serve as a vital water source for wildlife. The Forum has sought joint technical survey by Thane Forest Department, CIDCO, and NMMC and allocation of funds for these conservation projects."