Pune: Leopard Menace Raises Concerns in Uruli Kanchan; Forest Department Faces Criticism for Inaction

Uruli Kanchan, 23rd November 2023: A recent leopard attack on a goat in the Girme Wasti area of Uruli Kanchan Gram Panchayat has raised concerns among residents, amplifying existing fears fueled by a leopard presence reported a month ago in the nearby Shindawane area.

Taluka Forest Range Officer, Suresh Varak, confirmed the fatal attack, with the Haveli Taluka Forest Department conducting a Panchnama at the site. Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant.

The leopard’s presence in the Shindawane area a month ago resulted in the trapping of a stray dog. However, the Forest Department’s perceived negligence in handling the situation has allowed the leopard’s continued presence, contributing to heightened anxiety among residents. The lack of attempts to imprison the leopard in the past month has raised questions about the department’s commitment to citizen safety.

Residents of Shindawane, Uruli Kanchan, Valti, and surrounding areas are expressing frustration and anger over what they perceive as a lack of seriousness on the part of the Forest Department. The absence of a cage for managing leopards in the area further compounds concerns, reflecting the department’s apparent indifference to the safety of citizens.

The encroachment of leopards into hilly villages like Shindawane
has instilled fear among residents of Uruli Kanchan, making it challenging for shepherds and cattle rearers to take their livestock for grazing. The fear has also disrupted nighttime irrigation practices, affecting farmers’ ability to tend to their crops.

Farmers in the region, reliant on goat and sheep rearing, now operate in an atmosphere of fear, with many refraining from going out to work. The proximity of human settlements to Girme adds to the urgency for the Forest Department to address the situation promptly.

Conservator of Forests Ashok Gaikwad responded to the situation, stating, “We have inspected the area based on the information provided by villagers. Visible footprints with signs of a leopard’s presence have been observed in the Sindwane area. These footprints have been sent to senior offices for further action. Villagers have been cautioned not to visit the area during the day and to avoid going out alone. Precautions have been advised to ensure citizen safety.”