Pune: The number of leopards in the district is increasing, leading to a strain on the existing leopard shelter center. New shelter proposals are also pending due to a lack of space, resulting in increased leopard attacks in urban areas. Given this situation, the Forest and Revenue Departments have been urged to promptly address the pending proposals.
Deputy Chief Minister and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar suggested that, if necessary, leopards from Pune district be sent to the "Vantara" wildlife care and conservation project or other centers in Jamnagar, Gujarat, operated by the Reliance Group.
Injured and permanently disabled leopards are currently brought to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center in Junnar, which has a capacity of 40. In recent years, incidents of leopards roaming rural areas of the district have become more frequent, leading to an increase in attacks. These attacks have resulted in fatalities and injuries among residents.
In the Junnar and Ambegaon talukas, people live in constant fear due to leopard threats. Recently, District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase declared villages in Junnar taluka as "Leopard Disaster Prone Areas."
In this context, local MLA Atul Benke raised the issue of the pending proposal for a new leopard shelter in Junnar at a District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting. Following discussions, Minister Pawar directed that surplus leopards be relocated to the "Vantara" project as per regulations, if necessary.
Meanwhile, the combined leopard population in Junnar and Ambegaon talukas exceeds 600. Consequently, the Forest Department has prepared a proposal to establish new leopard shelters and treatment centers for injured wildlife in these areas.
The proposed site belongs to the Water Resources Department, and a request for land has been made. However, no significant action has been taken so far, and the proposal remains pending with the Revenue Department.
The delay in establishing these shelters has led to increased leopard movement in human settlements and rising attack complaints, which were highlighted during the DPC meeting.
