Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's quick action saves injured monitor lizard in Aarey Milk Colony

Pic/Sandeep Gadhave

A prompt response by Shiv Sena (UBT) Shakha Pramukh of Aarey Milk Colony, Sandeep Gadhave, helped save the life of an Indian monitor lizard injured in a road accident near a forested area in Aarey.

"I was passing by the road near a forest patch in Aarey Milk Colony when I spotted a monitor lizard lying on the roadside. Upon closer inspection, it seemed the animal had been hit by a vehicle. I immediately informed wildlife enthusiast Raj Jadhav, who quickly dispatched another volunteer, Prasad Khandagale, to the spot. The injured lizard was carefully placed in a basket and handed over to Forest Ranger Satish Manikrao Doifode from the Goregaon beat. The reptile will now be sent to a wildlife veterinarian for further medical care," Gadhave told Mid-Day.

Wildlife lover Khandagale, associated with the NGO WWA, told Mid-Day that an urgent need for speed breakers on both internal and main roads in Aarey Milk Colony to prevent such incidents. "We also need wildlife crossing signboards to alert motorists. These measures are essential to protect the diverse wildlife here," he said.

The Indian monitor lizard is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - the highest level of legal protection in India. Any harm, trade, or killing of the species is a punishable offence. Unfortunately, these reptiles are often targeted for their meat and skin.