In Junnar, a region known for its scenic beauty and historical sites, a growing human-leopard conflict is causing fear and distress among residents. The area, located near Pune in Maharashtra, has seen a significant rise in leopard attacks on livestock and people. This escalation is closely linked to changes in land use, particularly the widespread cultivation of sugarcane.
Saluram Kargal, a farmer from Wadgaon Borwadi village, recently experienced a terrifying encounter. Two leopards entered his enclosure and attacked his goats. When Kargal tried to save them, he was severely injured. His 15-year-old son was also attacked, but the family’s dogs bravely fought off the leopards, saving their lives. Kargal, though recovering, still lives with the trauma of the event.
Officials estimate the leopard population in Junnar has doubled, with numbers possibly reaching 800 to 1,000. This high density is unusual for an area that is not a protected wildlife reserve. Researchers have noted that the leopard density in Junnar is comparable to that found in protected areas like the Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve.
The surge in leopard numbers and the resulting conflicts are attributed to several factors. Since the 1970s, the construction of dams has made water readily available, encouraging farmers to grow water-intensive sugarcane. The dense sugarcane fields provide an ideal habitat for leopards to breed and raise their young. These fields also offer a consistent food source in the form of stray dogs and livestock.
Experts believe that the co-existence of large carnivore populations with dense human settlements is challenging. “A low-density large carnivore population and low-density human population can co-exist. But when both become high, then that’s a recipe for conflict,” said YV Jhala, a biologist who has studied large cats extensively.
Data from the Junnar forest department reveals a grim reality. Between 2002 and the present, 56 people, mostly children, have been killed, and 156 injured in leopard attacks. Last year alone, five people died, and over 26,000 cattle were killed. The compensation provided by the forest department, while helpful, cannot replace lost loved ones.
Residents live in constant fear, avoiding going out alone after dark and taking precautions like shouting loudly while walking through fields to scare away potential predators. Cages for trapping leopards are a common sight, and fresh pug marks are frequently found in villages.
The problem has even gained political attention, with a local legislator attending an assembly session dressed in a leopard costume to highlight the issue.
Various measures are being implemented to address the conflict. The forest department plans to provide subsidies for solar fences around isolated houses and has distributed spiked collars to farmers for protection. However, these measures are seen as insufficient given the scale of the problem.
Translocation, a strategy used for decades to move leopards from human-populated areas to forests, has also proven ineffective. Research indicates that relocated leopards often return to their original territories, sometimes leading to increased conflict as they search for prey in unfamiliar areas.
Currently, translocations have been halted, and captured leopards are being housed in rescue centres. However, these centres are becoming overcrowded. New technological solutions are also being explored, including AI-powered cameras that detect leopards and send alerts to forest officials, and ‘anider’ systems that use loud sounds to deter animals.
Experts argue for long-term solutions, such as changing cropping patterns to reduce cover for leopards, securing livestock better, and controlling the population of stray dogs and feral animals that form their food base. Some proposals, like moving leopards to a lower protection category under the Wildlife Protection Act, have been met with strong opposition from conservationists who fear it could harm the species.
Another proposed method is the use of immuno-contraceptives to control the leopard population. However, this pilot project is costly and its long-term effectiveness and potential side effects on leopard behaviour are still being studied.
Residents continue to live with the constant threat, with farmers like Maya Sonawane keeping their children indoors for safety. The situation in Junnar highlights the complex challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in a rapidly developing landscape, where effective and sustainable solutions are urgently needed.