Ramdas Athavale , President (RPI) and Union Minister on Monday adopted a leopard at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Athavale paid a demand draft of Rs 1.20 lakh for the upkeep of the wild cat. Thackeray family too adopted a tiger, a lion and two cats at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Following the suits of allies Athavale also adopted ‘bhima’ the leopard at the wish of his son Jeet.
Present at the adoption ceremony were Ramdas Athavale, wife Seematai, son Jeet, Advocate Abhayatai Sonavane, Chintaman Mali, Ramesh Gaikwad, Dr Rohidas Waghmare and Chandramani. Ramdas Athavale was handed over the certificate. The Park started this scheme in 2014 due to rising cost of maintenance. Those who adopt an animal are allowed to enter the park free of cost and visit the animal once a week year. The name of the person who has adopted the animal will be displayed on the cage as the token of appreciation.