The Junnar forest division in Pune district has initiated a new program to address the increasing number of leopard attacks and frequent sightings in the area. A team of wildlife awareness experts from Vidarbha has been brought in to educate villagers on how to prevent encounters with leopards and respond safely when sightings occur.
Focus on Vulnerable Areas
The initiative is being implemented in villages across Junnar and Shirur tehsils, where incidents involving leopards have risen over the past few years. Forest officials stated that the program aims to reduce panic among residents and promote practical safety measures in these vulnerable regions.
Awareness Campaign Activities
As part of the campaign, the experts are conducting street plays, interactive sessions, and demonstrations. These activities help villagers identify leopard movement patterns, paw marks, and other signs indicating the animal's presence nearby. The goal is to equip locals with the knowledge to coexist safely with the big cats.
Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests for the Junnar division, emphasized the importance of the program. "These awareness programs are being organized in villages where leopard sightings and attacks have already taken place. The educators are experienced and explain things in a very simple and lucid manner so that villagers can understand and respond calmly," she said.
The forest department continues to monitor the situation and adapt strategies to ensure both human safety and wildlife conservation in the region.
