Pune: 68 Leopards Captured In Junnar Forest Division; Cages And Preventive Measures Yield Results, Says Collector Jitendra Dudi
Pune: 68 Leopards Captured In Junnar Forest Division; Cages And Preventive Measures Yield Results, Says Collector Jitendra Dudi
Pune, December 14, 2025: As part of sustained efforts to curb rising human–leopard conflict, the Junnar Forest Division has successfully captured 68 leopards so far, marking one of the largest such operations completed in a short span of time. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said the extensive use of cages and other preventive measures has significantly contributed to the results.
To address the increasing leopard presence in the region, the district administration allocated ₹13 crore for various mitigation measures, including the installation of a large number of cages. Collector Dudi said the initiative has emerged as a crucial step towards reducing human–leopard conflict in the coming period. He also acknowledged the special efforts of Deputy Conservators of Forests Prashant Khade and Mahadev Mohite.
The Junnar Forest Division covers forest ranges of Junnar, Otur, Shirur, Ghodegaon, Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Chakan. During 2025–26, leopard attacks resulted in the deaths of five citizens, for which ₹65 lakh was paid as compensation. Five people were injured and compensated ₹2.18 lakh, while the deaths of 1,657 livestock led to payouts of ₹1.61 crore. Additionally, crop damage across 17.07 hectares resulted in compensation of ₹9.79 lakh. In total, compensation amounting to ₹2.38 crore has been disbursed.
Alongside capture operations, the forest department has intensified long-term conflict management measures. Between 2020–21 and 2025–26, 185 leopard cubs were reunited with their mothers. Regular patrols, citizen awareness programmes, and the formation of rapid response teams with local participation are being implemented across villages. Around 40 awareness programmes have been conducted in villages and schools through cultural troupes, while specialised awareness sessions were held in 50 villages with the support of gram panchayat officials.
Posters, pamphlets and workshops on safety measures against leopard attacks have also been organised. Wildlife rescue operations are carried out through coordination between rescue teams and staff at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, with support from 400 trained primary response team members.
To ensure round-the-clock vigilance in highly sensitive villages, Leopard Action Force base camps have been set up at Pimperkhed, Nhavra, Bhima Koregaon (Shirur taluka), Ale, Nagadwadi (Junnar taluka) and Gavdevwadi (Ambegaon taluka). These efforts have led to a substantial reduction in human–leopard conflict over the past two years in parts of Shirur, Ambegaon and eastern Junnar.
A 24×7 control room with a toll-free number (1800 3033) has been operational at the Junnar divisional office since May 2024, helping monitor sensitive areas and guide patrol operations. Following approval from the Central Zoo Authority, 10 leopards were relocated to a rescue centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in July 2024.
For the safety of shepherds and sugarcane-cutting workers, the department distributed 410 solar lamps and 410 tents. Solar lighting has been installed at 50 locations in the Shirur and Manchar forest ranges, making Junnar the first forest division in the state to implement the initiative on this scale.
The forest department has declared 233 villages as Potential Leopard Disaster-Prone Areas. Under a pilot project inspired by the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Jan-Van Yojana, solar fencing has been installed for 150 isolated farmhouses and cattle sheds, with work underway to extend protection to another 550 homes. Currently, 400 cages are operational across the division. Training has been provided to 400 Aapda Mitra volunteers, 3,300 neck guards have been distributed to citizens, and five anaesthesia machines are in use.
Collector Dudi added that proposals are underway for leopard sterilisation, daytime power supply for farm pumps, expansion of the Manikdoh rescue centre, creation of a Special Leopard Protection Force on the lines of the Special Tiger Protection Force, relocation of leopards to other protected areas, and the establishment of four new leopard rescue centres.
