Pune : In response to a surge in leopard attacks that have claimed three lives in the last 20 days, Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday announced a comprehensive action plan to prevent human–leopard conflicts in Pune District.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Naik said that 200 cages will be installed immediately in leopard-prone areas such as Junnar, Ambegaon, Rajgurunagar, and Shirur, while an additional 1,000 cages will be procured on a war footing.
He also revealed that the government will use a satellite-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) alert system to warn citizens about leopard movements in real time.
“The loss of human life is extremely unfortunate. We are taking both immediate and long-term measures to address this issue,” Naik said, adding that captured leopards will be relocated to authorised rescue centres in Gujarat and other states with central government permission.
Naik chaired a high-level meeting at Mantralaya on Monday attended by senior forest officials, district representatives, and legislators, including former Home Minister and Ambegaon MLA Dilip Walse-Patil and former MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.
The minister said that forest manpower will be increased in sensitive areas and electric fencing will be installed around farms and cattle sheds near forest zones. He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply during daytime hours to reduce leopard encounters.
Naik emphasised that there will be no shortage of funds for implementing safety measures. A proposal has also been sent to the Central Government for leopard sterilisation to control their growing population.
An all-party delegation is expected to meet the Union Forest Minister soon to secure approval for the proposal.
The announcement comes amid widespread protests by residents of Shirur, Ambegaon, and Khed tehsils, who blocked the Pune–Nashik Highway on Monday demanding stronger action. Naik assured that he will personally visit the affected areas soon to hold discussions with local representatives and citizens.
