SGNP animals thrive despite odds

Sharing some news about issues at Sanjay Gandhi Park in Mumbai

SGNP animals thrive despite odds

MUMBAI: Over the last two years, 91 forest fires broke out at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, destroying 224.84 hectares of green cover. Illegal construction activity has been slowly eating into the city’s green lung. But animal activists and park officials say the wildlife population is thriving despite it all and call it nothing less than a miracle.

A recent census by the forest department shows a healthy increase in the bird and animal population. The number of monkeys, for instance, has grown from 415 in 2008 to 435 in 2009, and the number of spotted deer has also gone up from 353 to 390 over the last two years. The sambar population stands at 27, up from 2008’s figure of 24.

At last count, the national park is home to 23 leopards—a drop of just one from the last census. But things aren’t looking good for the jungle cat. In 2007, there were seven, now only two remain. The manual count may not be accurate, but it is important because it gives a broad indicator of the health of the forest, say experts.

It’s a constant struggle, say forestofficials, citing lack of manpower to combat the recent spate of forest fires, which they believe are man-made, and illegal construction activities. “The park has just 126 permanent guards. We need least 400-450 permanent guards,’’ said a park official.

Link - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/C...ow/6069463.cms

This apparanetly is a good news. But, health of the forest cannot be judged by spike in numbers alone. I read several times that this NP suffers severely from several form of threats and leopards time and again engage in conflict and eventually get killed.

This NP is the lungs of Mumbai and a big carbon sink. People of Mumbai should be made known of the importance of this forest in their own well being.

Awareness building is one aspect that needs to be done at a rapid pace. Controlling the real estate mafia is another big task. That needs political will. And politicians can be forced to a certain extent if there is strong public support.