When a leopard is killed in human-animal conflict in Borivali's Sanjay Gandhi National Park, what impact could it possibly have on a Dadar resident? The problem with this question, as is the problem with the way we look at the environment, is that of isolation.

"It's not the leopard but the forest it lives in that needs to be understood and appreciated," explains environmental activist and founding editor of Sanctuary Asia, Bittu Sahgal. Large carnivore biologist and president of the Wildlife Conservation Trust Dr Anish Andheria concurs. "The leopard is an indicator species. A threat to its survival points to something being wrong with the forest. And what does that have to do with the people of Mumbai? Well, you can't possibly work in a swanky BKC building that runs on tanker-supplied water. The city needs fresh water, which comes from its lakes — all located in the forests," he says.