Leopard Sighting Near Jail Superintendent's Bungalow Alarms Navi Mumbai Residents
Family members of the Taloja Central Jail superintendent reported a leopard sighting in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on January 10. They claimed to have seen the big cat near the superintendent's bungalow.
The superintendent informed forest officials about the sighting the following day. Range forest officer Gajanan Pandharpatte from Panvel confirmed the report. He stated that authorities took immediate action.
Forest Department's Response and Camera Installation
Forest officials installed two trap cameras in the area the next day. They aimed to capture any further movement of the leopard. However, no additional sightings have been recorded on these cameras since the installation.
Despite the potential danger, no guards have been deployed to monitor the bungalow during day or night hours. This lack of security has raised concerns among local residents.
Previous Leopard Incidents in the Region
Tribal communities living on nearby hills also reported leopard movements earlier this month. They noticed the animals in their vicinity, adding to the growing unease.
CCTV footage captured a leopard moving on a road near the Cidco entry to Phanaswadi area. This visual evidence confirmed the presence of leopards in urban zones.
A more serious incident occurred on December 19, 2025. A leopard entered the Parijat housing society in Bhayender East. The animal injured at least eight people during the encounter.
Forest department teams rushed to the housing society. They tranquilized the leopard and removed it from the residential complex. This event highlighted the increasing frequency of human-leopard conflicts.
Experts Point to Shrinking Forest Areas
Wildlife experts explained the underlying cause of these incidents. They said human activities continue to shrink forest areas. This habitat loss forces leopards to venture into human settlements in search of food and territory.
The resulting human-animal conflicts pose significant risks to both people and wildlife. Experts emphasize the need for better conservation measures and public awareness.
Residents of Navi Mumbai remain vigilant. They hope for more proactive measures from authorities to prevent future encounters.
