Spotted! Deer liking Aarey more, say locals

Those living inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park also told mid-day that they have seen spotted deer close to their homes

After 812 acres of Aarey Milk Colony were declared a forest, the sightings of spotted deer have been frequent, locals and experts have observed.

Talking to mid-day, environment enthusiast Satish Lot, said, "I have been living at Aarey Milk Colony for more than 35 years and it was only during lockdown I noticed a herd of spotted deer roaming so close to human habitation inside Aarey. It seems that the protection given by the Maharashtra government to declare 812 acres as a forested patch is helping wildlife. Recently, I noticed a herd of spotted deer peacefully grazing at the location where the sighting was almost negligible." Environmentalists and citizens had welcomed to state move.

On April 25, 2020, mid-day had through a report highlighted how the animals were spotted more often owing to a drastic reduction in human activity.

Those residing at Sanjay Gandhi National Park also told mid-day that they have seen spotted deer close to their homes.