Says, 17-years-old Dharmendra Dilip Kadam, a resident of Navpada, “They are preying on human beings because there is very little food available for them within the sanctuary.” The biggest sufferers have been 75-odd people living in a cluster of 10 hutments, which has been the target of at least 5 panther attacks in the last 2-3 months.

“We have to be very vigilant during the right. One cannot venture into the open unaccompanied. So whether you want to answer nature’s call or attend to a neighbor we have to move around groups. That’s the only time we are safe,” adds Dharmendra.

Says Bhim Roa Nekke a 50-year-old resident of the hutment colony, who also works as a security guard in a private firm in Jogeshwari. “ I travel to my workplace on a bicycle. While this is no problem during the day shift, it is quite a scary experience at night. But no one is bothered and the company refuses to give me any special privileges. So I risk my life everytime during the evening traveling to work. I have a family to feed,”

Chandu Sukhram Rathod, 16-year-old youth observes, “Normally the panther comes at about 9.30 pm. They usually climb a tall tree in the vicinity of the settlement looking out for small prey like does and goats. Since it is impossible for us to sit in the open and chat, we go to bed early.

The panther is our biggest fear.” The villagers bemoan the fact that neither can they fence their settlement or build a protective wall around it.

According to AR Bharti, deputy conservator of forests, the people are themselves to blame for the panther attacks. “The jungle is meant for animals. If people decide to live in their territory what else do they expect?”

“In other sanctuaries people who have been legally living in the jungles have now opted to shift to safer confines. Here, barring a few, most refuse to listen. At the same time our wildlife laws need to be implemented strictly, to prevent people from living within sanctuaries.”