Forest officials meet to discuss measures

Mumbai: In order to reach the spot in cases of emergency like man-animal conflict, the rescue teams of both, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Thane forest department in collaboration with Mumbaikars for SGNP (MFSGNP), held a meeting to discuss the hurdles faced during such situations. Not only did the team decide to cull out the barrier of jurisdiction restricting them to respond immediately, but also discussed the common questionnaires from people. The team members will be trained to tackle furious crowds met with during such situations.

From the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) of Thane forest department, SGNP veterinarian and range forest officer of the park, to the volunteers from MFSGNP formed part of the team to impart training.  

According to one of the volunteers from MFSGNP, in case of leopard sighting in areas, scared residents get furious on the foresters and ask them to take away the big cat or trap it and refrain from understanding the basics. “At such times it becomes essential for us to deal with them politely and simultaneously answer in a way that they understand without getting hyper,” explained a forester, part of the rescue team.

The forest department also asked their teams to respond to queries irrespective of whichever jurisdiction it falls under.