Maharashtra Forest Department Conducts International Expert Training on Human–Wildlife Conflict Management in Pune

Pune, 6th December 2025: In a major step toward strengthening scientific wildlife management in the state, the Maharashtra Forest Department, led by Shri Ashish Thakare, Conservator of Forests, Pune Circle, organised an international technical training session on 5 December 2025 in Pune, bringing together frontline officers and globally recognised wildlife-management specialists from South Africa. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with RESQ Charitable Trust as part of ongoing capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving human–wildlife conflict response across Maharashtra.

More than 40 field officers from the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and the Junnar, Pune and Solapur Forest Divisions took part. These units routinely manage sensitive forest edges and handle high-pressure human–wildlife conflict situations involving leopards, hyenas, herbivores and other species.

The training featured two internationally renowned experts from South Africa — Mr. Hein Schoeman, wildlife-capture and operations specialist, and Dr. Josephine Skaarup Petersson, wildlife veterinarian — representing the Legacy Wildlife Foundation and VetX. They shared global best practices in wildlife capture, conflict mitigation, population management and advanced conservation operations.

Technical sessions focused on practical field applications, boundary-management strategies, welfare-centric handling protocols, and ecosystem-level solutions. Officers engaged in in-depth discussions relating these global insights to Maharashtra’s ground realities, highlighting the growing emphasis on professional and scientific approaches in conflict management across the state.

Ashish Thakare, Conservator of Forests, Pune Circle, said, “South African systems, species and histories differ from ours, yet several principles and strategies remain universally relevant. Mr. Hein and Dr. Josephine offered experiences and perspectives that directly relate to challenges we face in Maharashtra. This interaction is part of our continued commitment to strengthening capacity building for personnel dealing with complex conservation and conflict scenarios.”

According to Tuhin Satarkar, Director – Wildlife Operations, RESQ Charitable Trust, “Knowledge exchange widens perspectives and sharpens on-ground decision-making. These expert interactions help build meaningful, solution-oriented connections that transcend geography or policy differences. We appreciate the Forest Department’s consistent support for progressive training efforts.”