Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s ‘Big Cat’ Call: Rs 5-Crore Leopard Safari To Boost Tourism

Last Updated:January 31, 2025, 20:09 IST

The addition of a leopard safari at SGNP in Mumbai’s Borivli is expected to increase footfall and generate additional revenue for conservation efforts

The safari will require approximately 30 hectares. (PTI File for representation)

In a major boost to wildlife tourism, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai’s Borivli is set to introduce a leopard safari, offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness the elusive big cats in their natural habitat.

The announcement was made by Maharashtra’s minister for information technology and culture, and Mumbai suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar during his visit to the park.

Currently, SGNP offers tiger and lion safaris, but despite being home to several rescued and rehabilitated leopards, there is no dedicated leopard safari for visitors.

The safari will require approximately 30 hectares, which is already available within the park. According to forest officials, the estimated cost of developing the safari is Rs 5 crore, and the funding will be arranged through the Forest Department and the District Planning Committee.

Highlighting the potential impact of this initiative, Chief Conservator of Forests Shreeji Mallikarjun explained that the SGNP receives around 20 lakh visitors annually, and the addition of a leopard safari is expected to increase footfall and generate additional revenue for conservation efforts. After reviewing the project details, Shelar directed officials to submit a formal proposal for immediate approval, ensuring swift implementation of the project.

संजय गांधी उद्यानातील “भारत आणि भारती” ला दत्तक घेतलेबोरिवली येथील संजय गांधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यानाला भेट दिली. या उद्यानात “भारत आणि भारती” हे तीन वर्षाचे दोन सिंह नुकतेच २६ जानेवारीला गुजरात मधून आणण्यात आले आहेत. त्यांना वर्षभरासाठी दत्तक घेतले असून त्यांच्या पालनपोषणासाठी… pic.twitter.com/2JUnd4FE5B

— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) January 31, 2025

During his visit, Shelar also adopted two three-year-old lions — Bharat and Bharati — for a year. These lions were recently brought to Mumbai from Gujarat on January 26, and their upkeep will now be funded by the minister.

Apart from boosting tourism and conservation efforts, Shelar also addressed the safety concerns of forest workers at the SGNP. The park employs over 400 forest labourers, many of whom work in challenging conditions, patrolling wildlife areas and rescuing animals that stray into human settlements.

Among them is a special 11-member rescue team, which directly interacts with wild animals during capture and relocation operations. These workers had no insurance coverage despite the risks they face daily.

After being informed about the situation, Shelar immediately ordered officials to arrange insurance coverage for all forest workers, assuring that funds would be provided to cover their protection and well-being.

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