Leopard Spotted During Sharad Pawar’s Inspection Of Polluted Nira River In Baramati, Sparks Panic In Village
Leopard Spotted During Sharad Pawar’s Inspection Of Polluted Nira River In Baramati, Sparks Panic In Village
Baramati, January 31, 2026: Senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Friday visited the polluted Nira River in Baramati to assess the situation on the ground, even as the Pawar family immersed the ashes of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar earlier in the day. Pawar’s visit, his first public inspection in recent days, triggered political discussion and drew significant public attention.
During the inspection, a leopard was spotted in the riverbed, creating an atmosphere of fear among local residents. Security personnel accompanying Pawar noticed the animal and recorded the sighting on camera. The video has since gone viral on social media.
Despite personal grief, the 85-year-old leader proceeded with the river inspection, focusing on environmental and public health concerns. According to officials, the leopard was seen while Pawar was reviewing pollution levels along the riverbank. He immediately instructed the forest department to take necessary action and appealed to villagers to remain alert.
Pawar also urged residents not to leave children unattended, especially near the river and surrounding areas, until the situation is brought under control.
Pollution Concerns Raised By Villagers
During the visit, villagers informed Pawar that industrial effluents and untreated wastewater from sources such as the Malegaon sugar factory, Someshwar sugar factory, slaughterhouses in Phaltan, and nearby dairy projects are contributing to severe pollution in the Nira River.
Locals demonstrated the condition of the river water by collecting it in a bucket, showing that it was highly turbid and foul-smelling. Farmers complained that contact with the water causes skin irritation, fish populations have disappeared, and crops suffer stunted growth when irrigated with river water.
Villagers also expressed concern that if pollution levels continue to rise, the water could pose a serious threat to human health.
Assurance from Sharad Pawar
Responding to the concerns, Sharad Pawar assured residents that he had visited the site to gather first-hand information and would raise the issue at the government level. He said the matter would be discussed with the concerned departments to ensure corrective measures are taken to control pollution and protect public safety.
