Leopard Scare in Nigdi: One Captured, One Still Roaming Free; Residents on High Alert
Pimpri-Chinchwad: Panic spread across Nigdi in Pimpri-Chinchwad after two leopards were spotted freely roaming the streets on Sunday. While forest officials successfully captured one of the wild cats, the other remains on the loose, leaving residents in fear.
According to officials, the captured leopard was trapped at Sant Kabir Garden in Sector 24. Efforts are currently underway to locate and capture the second leopard. Meanwhile, videos of the big cats wandering through the area have gone viral on social media, intensifying concerns among locals.
With one leopard still at large, residents are reluctant to step out of their homes and have urged authorities to ensure their safety by capturing the animal at the earliest.
Leopard Population Surge in Maharashtra
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the rising leopard population in Maharashtra and increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict. In response, the state government has proposed sterilisation as a potential solution to control the leopard population.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik recently announced that a proposal for leopard sterilisation will soon be submitted to the Central government. He highlighted that extensive sugarcane cultivation in regions like Junnar and Ambegaon over the past two decades has led to habitat depletion, forcing leopards to stray into human settlements.
“To address this issue, sterilisation is being considered. If necessary, discussions will also be held with Union ministers,” Naik stated.
He also acknowledged the growing conflict between wildlife and farmers in the state, noting that wild animals are causing significant damage to agriculture. He assured that a review would be conducted to improve compensation policies for affected farmers.
The sterilisation proposal has been gaining traction, with Shirur MP Amol Kolhe previously raising the issue in Parliament. Additionally, a petition advocating for sterilisation as a preventive measure against leopard attacks has been filed in the Bombay High Court.
As the search for the second leopard continues, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and report any sightings immediately.
