Pune: 68 Leopards Captured in Junnar Division as Intensive Measures Curb Human–Wildlife Conflict: Collector Jitendra Dudi
Junnar, 13th December 2025: In a major breakthrough in mitigating human–leopard conflict, the Junnar Forest Division has captured 68 leopards in a short span of time, following the deployment of large-scale preventive measures, including cages and rapid response systems, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said on Friday.
Highlighting the effectiveness of the strategy, Dudi said this was the highest number of leopards captured within the shortest timeframe in the division’s history, calling it a crucial step towards long-term conflict reduction. He credited the focused efforts of Deputy Conservators of Forests Prashant Khade and Mahadev Mohite, along with field staff, for the achievement.
Rs 13 Crore Allocated for Conflict Mitigation
With leopard presence increasing across rural and semi-urban pockets, the district administration sanctioned ₹13 crore to implement preventive measures in the Junnar Forest Division. These funds enabled the installation of a large number of cages, resulting in the successful capture of 68 leopards so far.
The Junnar Forest Division covers Junnar, Otur, Shirur, Ghodegaon, Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Chakan forest ranges.
Human and Livestock Losses; Compensation Paid
During 2025–26, leopard attacks led to:
Five human fatalities, with compensation of Rs 65 lakh
Five people injured, compensated Rs 2.18 lakh
1,657 livestock deaths, compensated Rs 1.61 crore
Crop damage across 17.07 hectares, compensated Rs 9.79 lakh
In total, compensation worth Rs 2.38 crore has been disbursed to affected citizens.
Beyond captures, the forest department has implemented a multi-layered approach to manage leopard populations and reduce conflict. Between 2020–21 and 2025–26, as many as 185 leopard cub reunifications were successfully carried out.
Measures include:
Regular village patrols by forest staff
Public awareness campaigns and school outreach programmes
Formation of rapid response teams with community participation
Over 40 awareness programmes conducted through cultural troupes
Special leopard awareness sessions held in 50 villages with the support of gram panchayat officials
Posters, leaflets and workshops on safety precautions during leopard encounters have also been widely distributed.
To ensure round-the-clock vigilance, ‘Leopard Action Force’ base camps have been set up in highly sensitive villages including Pimperkhed, Nhavara, Bhima Koregaon (Shirur), Ale, Nagadwadi (Junnar) and Gavdevwadi (Ambegaon). Officials said these initiatives have significantly reduced conflict in western Shirur and eastern Junnar–Ambegaon regions over the last two years.
A 24×7 toll-free control room (1800 3033) has been operational at the Junnar divisional office since May 2024, enabling real-time monitoring and deployment of patrols.
With approval from the Central Zoo Authority, 10 conflict-prone leopards were relocated to a rescue centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in July 2024.
Safety Measures and Infrastructure Expansion
To protect shepherds and sugarcane workers, the department distributed 410 solar lights and 410 tents. The Junnar Forest Division has also become the first in the state to operationalise 50 night surveillance points across Shirur and Manchar ranges.
A total of 233 villages have been declared ‘potential leopard disaster-prone zones’. Under a pilot project inspired by the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Jan-Van Scheme, solar-powered fencing has been installed around 150 isolated farmhouses and cattle sheds, with plans to extend protection to another 550 homes.
Currently, 400 cages are operational across the division. Around 400 trained disaster-response volunteers (PART members) are assisting the forest department. Safety equipment distributed includes 3,300 neck guards, while five anaesthesia machines are in use for rescue operations.
Collector Dudi said proposals are underway for:
Leopard sterilisation programmes
Daytime electricity supply for agricultural pumps
Expansion of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre
Additional manpower for a Special Leopard Protection Force on the lines of the STPF
Translocation of leopards to other protected areas
Establishment of four new leopard rescue centres
“These sustained efforts are essential to ensure both human safety and wildlife conservation,” he said.
