Pune’s Leopard Crisis: Overpopulation Strains Manikdoh Rescue Centre, Urban Attacks Rise
Pune, 23rd July 2024: The number of leopards in the Pune District is increasing day by day, putting pressure on the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. Additionally, land for a new Leopard Rescue Centre is not available, delaying its proposal. As a result, the rising leopard population is leading to more sightings in urban areas and increasing attacks. In response, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar has directed the Revenue and Forest Department of the Maharashtra State Government to resolve the issue of the delayed proposal for the new Leopard Rescue Centre. He also suggested that additional leopards beyond capacity should be sent to Vantara in Jamnagar, operated by the Reliance Group, and other similar centres.
Currently, leopards that are injured or permanently disabled are sent to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, which has a capacity of 40 leopards. Recently, leopard sightings in rural and urban areas of the Pune District have become common, resulting in fatalities and injuries from leopard attacks. Residents of Ambegaon and Junnar talukas are fearful for their lives. Pune District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase has designated some villages in Junnar Taluka as ‘Potential Leopard Disaster-Prone Areas.’ In this context, Junnar MLA Atul Benake raised the issue of the stalled new Leopard Rescue Centre proposals at the District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed that, according to regulations, leopards could be sent to Vantara in Jamnagar.
Ambegaon and Junnar talukas have over 600 leopards, highlighting the need for more Leopard Rescue Centres in these areas. The Forest Department of Maharashtra has proposed new centres, but the land for these centres belongs to the Water Resources Department of the State Government. Due to inaction, the Revenue Department has also kept this proposal pending. The DPC meeting emphasized that the unavailability of new leopard rescue centres is leading to increased leopard sightings in human settlements and consequently more attacks.
