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• Environmental groups have raised concerns over ecological management and biosafety practices within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
• An NGO has sought a review of standard operating procedures for captive animal care and habitat management.
• Activists have also highlighted issues related to construction activity and tree loss in the park's eco-sensitive zone.
• The developments have renewed calls for stronger conservation measures and stricter protection of Mumbai's urban forest.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), one of the world's largest protected forests located within a metropolitan region, is once again at the centre of environmental concerns as conservation groups call for stronger safeguards to protect its fragile ecosystem. Recent representations by activists have highlighted issues ranging from biosafety protocols for captive wildlife to activities within the park's eco-sensitive zone.
An environmental organisation has urged authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of existing standard operating procedures governing captive animal care and biosafety management. The group has argued that evolving wildlife health challenges and increasing human-animal interactions necessitate updated protocols to minimise ecological and disease-related risks while ensuring better welfare standards.
The latest concerns come amid ongoing debates surrounding development activities in and around the eco-sensitive zone surrounding the national park. Environmentalists have repeatedly stressed that construction and land-use changes near protected areas should be carefully regulated to avoid fragmentation of wildlife habitats and disruption of ecological corridors.
Activists have also pointed to instances of tree loss and alleged ecological disturbances in areas adjoining the park, arguing that Mumbai's rapidly expanding urban landscape places increasing pressure on one of the city's most valuable natural assets. They believe that preserving the integrity of the eco-sensitive zone is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
SGNP serves as an important habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, including leopards, deer, birds and numerous endemic species. Beyond its ecological significance, the park functions as a major green lung for Mumbai by supporting groundwater recharge, regulating local temperatures and improving air quality for the surrounding urban population.
Conservation experts note that balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection requires coordinated planning and strict enforcement of existing regulations. Regular ecological assessments, scientific monitoring and transparent management practices are increasingly viewed as essential components of sustainable conservation.
Citizen groups have also become more actively involved in advocating for the protection of the park, emphasising that safeguarding SGNP is critical not only for wildlife conservation but also for the long-term environmental resilience of Mumbai. They argue that proactive management today will help preserve the park's ecological value for future generations.
As discussions continue, environmental stakeholders are calling for stronger institutional coordination, updated management frameworks and enhanced monitoring mechanisms to ensure that one of India's most significant urban forests remains protected amid growing developmental pressures.
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