Amidst escalating instances of human-leopard conflicts in Maharashtra, the delay in submitting the leopard sterilization draft by the state forest department has sparked concerns over the efficacy of conflict management strategies. Despite the local authority’s completion of the draft in December 2023, it remains unsubmitted to the central government, prompting questions about the state’s commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
Member of Parliament Amol Kolhe has taken a proactive stance on the matter, advocating for swift action to expedite the submission process. Kolhe’s correspondence with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde highlights the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the potential repercussions of further delays on conflict resolution efforts.
The genesis of the leopard sterilization project dates back to an announcement made by Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudheer Munguntiwar in August 2023. With the aim of curbing human-leopard conflicts, the state forest department proposed a pilot project to sterilize leopards, with Junnar tehsil in Pune earmarked as the project site. Collaborative efforts between forest officials and veterinary experts culminated in the creation of a comprehensive draft for the project.
However, despite the meticulous planning and preparation, the state forest department has failed to fulfill its obligation of submitting the draft to the central government for further consideration. This administrative lapse jeopardizes the timely implementation of crucial measures aimed at mitigating human-leopard conflicts, thus exacerbating the vulnerability of affected communities.
Kolhe’s advocacy extends beyond the state level, as evidenced by his engagement with Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav, wherein he underscored the urgency of addressing the conflict situation in Junnar. While assurances were provided at the central level, Kolhe’s subsequent communication with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change revealed the absence of any draft from the Maharashtra forest department or the state government.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the alarming statistics provided in Kolhe’s communication, which highlight the human toll of leopard attacks in affected tehsils. With lives lost and livelihoods disrupted, the urgency of implementing effective mitigation strategies cannot be overstated.
Despite attempts to seek clarification and expedite the submission process, responses from key officials such as Maheep Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in Nagpur, remain elusive, further exacerbating concerns surrounding the delayed project.
As Maharashtra grapples with the escalating human-leopard conflict, stakeholders emphasize the imperative of prompt and decisive action to address administrative bottlenecks and expedite the implementation of crucial mitigation measures.
