22 June,2026 11:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Forest officials held detailed interactions with representatives of residential buildings, staff and faculty families, hostel residents, staff, and security personnel to address concerns. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Following a recent incident in which a leopard attacked a community dog inside the lobby of a residential building on the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay campus in Powai, the Maharashtra Forest Department has initiated measures to assess and manage the situation. The attack, captured on video, went viral on social media and sparked concern among campus residents.
As part of the exercise, teams visited locations where leopard sightings had recently been reported to identify blind spots and areas that could increase the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
Officials recommended mitigation measures including installation of lights, removal of overgrown shrubs and bushes, and installation of grills and safety doors at vulnerable locations.
Forest officials also held detailed interactions with representatives of residential buildings, staff and faculty families, hostel residents, teaching and non-teaching staff, and security personnel to address concerns and discuss precautionary measures.
Authorities said such engagement exercises will continue periodically to address emerging concerns and implement necessary interventions.
Camera traps have also been installed to monitor the movement of leopards and other large carnivores in and around the campus.
Additionally, daily night patrols have been initiated to maintain surveillance and monitor the situation closely.
Officials said data related to leopard movement and human-wildlife interactions will be collected and analysed to prepare a detailed assessment report.
The objective is to revive the coexistence model that had reportedly been functioning successfully on the campus for over a decade, while integrating newer technologies and improving existing mitigation strategies.
The exercise was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forest (Thane Territorial) Sachin Repal and Range Forest Officer (Mumbai) Santosh Dagle. Around 20 Forest Department officials participated in the operation, supported by over a dozen wildlife volunteers.
