A new initiative aimed at boosting tourism and enhancing wildlife conservation is set to be introduced at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, has announced that a leopard safari will be established in the park, allowing visitors to observe leopards in a natural setting.
The proposal for the leopard safari has been presented as part of ongoing efforts to improve the park’s attractions while ensuring a safe and enriched environment for rescued leopards. At present, SGNP hosts tiger and lion safaris, and leopard cubs found across Maharashtra are rehabilitated within the park. However, tourists have not been provided with an opportunity to view leopards in their natural habitat. To facilitate this initiative, approximately 30 hectares of land have been proposed for the new safari. The project, which has been estimated to cost ₹5 crore, has been expected to significantly increase footfall at SGNP. Officials have stated that the park currently receives around 20 lakh visitors annually, and with the addition of a leopard safari, a rise in tourist numbers and revenue has been anticipated. A detailed presentation regarding the initiative has been made by Chief Conservator Mallikarjun, who has outlined the benefits of the safari.
Following the presentation, instructions have been issued by Shelar to fast-track the project. It has been confirmed that financial support will be provided jointly by the forest department and the district planning committee. The district collector has also been directed to expedite the necessary approvals to ensure the earliest possible implementation of the project. As part of his conservation efforts, Shelar has also undertaken the adoption of two three-year-old lion cubs, Bharat and Bharati, which had been recently transferred to SGNP from Gujarat. The expenses for their care and maintenance for the next year will be personally covered by the minister.
During his visit to SGNP, Shelar had been accompanied by key officials, including Suburban District Collector Rajendra Kshirsagar, Deputy Director Revati Kulkarni, Assistant Forest Officer Sudhir Sonawane, and Chief Security Officer Yogesh Mahajan. A review of the park’s facilities and ongoing projects had been conducted during the inspection. It had also been brought to the minister’s attention that 400 workers, many from tribal communities, had been engaged in park maintenance and conservation efforts. Despite working in extreme weather conditions and being in close contact with wildlife, it had been reported that several workers were not covered by insurance. Among them, 11 individuals had been assigned the task of safeguarding both wildlife and nearby human settlements.
Upon receiving this information, directives had been issued by Shelar to ensure immediate insurance coverage for these workers. It had also been assured that a necessary budgetary allocation would be made to support their well-being. With these developments, SGNP has been set to strengthen its role in wildlife conservation while offering an enriched experience for visitors, further establishing itself as a leading ecological destination in Maharashtra.
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