Leopards from Pune to be Relocated to Gujarat Amid Rising Conflicts

Pune: The leopard population in Pune district is growing steadily, leading to increased pressure on existing leopard shelter centers. As a result, leopard attacks in urban areas have risen, causing concern among residents. Due to a lack of space, proposals for new shelter centers have stalled. Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district, Ajit Pawar, has suggested that the Reliance Group take necessary action to relocate some leopards from Pune to the ‘Vantara’ wild animal care and conservation project in Jamnagar, Gujarat, or other suitable centers if needed.

Currently, injured and permanently disabled leopards are treated at the Manikdoh Leopard Sanctuary in Junnar, which has a capacity of 40 leopards. However, frequent leopard sightings and attacks have been reported in rural areas of the district, particularly in Junnar and Ambegaon talukas. This has led to loss of life and injuries among civilians, making daily life precarious for residents.

In response, Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase has declared several villages in Junnar taluka as ‘leopard disaster-prone areas.’ Local MLA Atul Benke raised the issue of the delayed proposal for a new leopard shelter in Junnar taluka during a recent District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting. Guardian Minister Pawar recommended taking immediate action to relocate additional leopards as per the rules and, if necessary, to the ‘Vantara’ project.

The number of leopards in Junnar and Ambegaon talukas exceeds 600, prompting the forest department to propose a new shelter and treatment center for injured wild animals. The proposed site, belonging to the Water Resources Department, is still pending approval from the Revenue Department, delaying the establishment of the new shelter. This has exacerbated the situation, with increasing complaints of leopards attacking human habitations discussed during the DPC meeting.

In a lighter moment at the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar humorously referenced the recent marriage ceremony of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, which has been a popular topic on social media. He remarked, “As you all know, this small wedding ceremony has been done,” eliciting laughter from the attendees.

The relocation of leopards from Pune to Gujarat is seen as a necessary measure to alleviate the pressure on local shelters and reduce human-wildlife conflicts in the region. The timely approval and implementation of new shelter proposals are crucial to addressing this growing concern effectively.