Mumbai: The Uttarakhand forest department has sought the help of Maharashtra forest department to deal with the human-animal conflict in its state that sees around 25 such deaths every year.
Currently, senior officers in the state forest department, researchers in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Milk Colony are engaged with a team of 14 officials from Uttarakhand, including its forest officials and representatives from the severely affected areas, to give them ideas and knowledge on managing human-animal conflict. The Uttarakhand team is on a two-day visit to the city.
The state chief conservator of forest Ahmed Anwar, his predecessor Vikas Gupta and chief conservator of forests for the Pune wildlife wing Sunil Limaye, spoke about the initiatives taken by not only the park officials but also wildlife lovers who had started a group — Mumbaikars for SGNP. This group has been conducting sessions with the locals residing in and around the park to educate them about the precautions to be taken.
Maharashtra’s forest department is assisting Uttarakhand forest officials in dealing with human animal conflict. Biologist Dr Vidya Athreya organised a presentation with a case study to help the officials understand that co-existence of human with leopard is possible if preventive measures are taken.
Dr Dhananjay Mohan, chief conservator of forests, wildlife administration, conservation and information, Uttarakhand, said, “Our main aim is to get locals from the affected areas to understand that co-existing with the big cat is possible.”
