Neck Belts, Solar Fences, and AI Cameras Protect Against Leopard Attacks in Pune
Neck Belts, Solar Fences, and AI Cameras Protect Against Leopard Attacks in Pune
Pune: In response to rising leopard attacks, forest officials in Pune’s Junnar area have implemented modern safety measures, including AI-equipped cameras, solar-powered fences, and protective neck belts. The initiatives aim to reduce human-wildlife conflict, which has resulted in 17 deaths and 41 injuries over the past five years, including nine fatalities in 2024 alone.
Junnar: A Leopard Conflict Hotspot
Junnar’s hilly terrain, abundant water supply, and dense plantations of sugarcane, bananas, grapes, and pomegranates create a suitable habitat for leopards. However, this proximity to human settlements has heightened conflicts. In 2024, the district administration declared 233 villages in Junnar, Khed, Ambegaon, and Shirur as high-risk zones for leopard attacks.
AI Cameras and Solar Fences to Deter Leopards
According to Assistant Conservator of Forests Smita Rajhans, AI-powered cameras installed at key locations can detect leopard movement and activate sirens to scare them away and alert officials. Additionally, 150 houses in leopard-prone areas are now protected with solar-powered electric fences that deliver non-lethal shocks to deter leopards, with plans to expand coverage to 650 more homes.
Neck Belts Provide Protection for Farmers
To protect farmers, who are often targeted by leopards, the forest department has distributed specially designed neck belts equipped with spikes to prevent fatal neck injuries from leopard attacks. Local farmer Mayuri Bankar, who uses the belt daily, shared that the protective gear gives her a sense of security while working in the fields.
Additional Safety Measures and Rescue Efforts
The Special Leopard Protection Force (SLPF), modeled on the Special Tiger Protection Force, has been deployed to handle conflict situations. The Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, currently housing 44 leopards, is set to expand its capacity to 125 leopards to manage rescue operations more effectively.
Forest guard Dnyaneshwar Pawar highlighted the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on increasing leopard populations due to reduced human activity. To prevent attacks, authorities are conducting awareness programs and advising locals to avoid night-time travel and use protective nets around cattle enclosures.
