The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a vast green expanse spanning 104 sq km across Mumbai and Thane, is now home to 54 leopards, as per the 2024 census, Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik informed the legislative council on Tuesday.

Naik noted a steady rise in the leopard population due to ongoing conservation efforts and protection of their natural habitat. The numbers have gradually increased over the years: 35 in 2015, 41 in 2017, 47 in 2018, 46 in 2019, 52 in 2023, and 54 in 2024, reported news agency PTI. 

He also addressed past human-wildlife conflict incidents, stating that in 2017, a boy and a girl lost their lives in leopard attacks, followed by a similar tragic incident involving a girl in 2022. In each case, Rs 20 lakh was provided as compensation to the victims’ families, in line with legal provisions.