In response to escalating human-leopard conflicts in the Pune district, a comprehensive training session was organized for Emergency Response Units (ERUs) and Forest Department personnel. This initiative aims to enhance public safety in the affected talukas of Junnar, Ambegaon, Shirur, and Rajugurunagar, where leopard attacks have become a pressing concern.
Addressing the Leopard Threat in Pune's Rural Areas
The training, conducted under the guidance of Conservator of Forest (Pune) Ashish Thakare and deputy conservator of forest Prashant Khade on January 27, focused on building capacity and preparedness among responders. According to a press release issued by assistant conservator of forest (ACF – Junnar Division) Amrut Shinde, the program emphasized reducing risks through rapid response, incident assessment, and effective mitigation strategies.
High Leopard Density and Affected Villages
A study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, conducted in 2021, revealed that the leopard density in Junnar and adjoining areas is estimated at six to seven leopards per 100 square kilometres. This high density has led to 233 villages in the region being declared as "affected areas" in June 2024 due to frequent attacks on humans.
The training session saw participation from 51 ERU members and 28 forest department staffers across various forest divisions, including Junnar, Otur, Manchar, Ghodegaon, Khed, Chakan, and Shirur. Key officials present included ACF Smita Rajhans, Range Forest Officers, and honorary wildlife warden Dhananjay Kokane.
Expert-Led Training on Leopard Management
Experts from the Rescue Charitable Trust, Nachiket Utpat and Kiran Rahalkar, provided guidance on leopard search and control operations. This covered:
- Tracking leopard movements
- Strategic cage placement
- Use of trap cameras
- Drone-based observation of animal behavior
- Assessing movement patterns from aerial drone surveys
Additionally, experts Nachiket Avdhani and Shreyas Kamble demonstrated the use of thermal drone cameras for nocturnal searches in sugarcane farms and dense forest areas, enhancing the teams' ability to locate leopards effectively.
Coordinated Response and Public Safety Measures
Participants were trained on immediate response protocols to reach leopard attack incident spots in coordination with forest, police, and health departments. The training also included steps for providing urgent medical help to victims, conducting patrolling, and running awareness drives for local citizens.
Environmental Factors Contributing to Conflicts
Forest officials highlighted that several irrigation projects in the Junnar Forest Division have led to abundant water availability, supporting sugarcane, banana, grapes, and pomegranate farms. These agricultural areas provide ideal hiding spots for leopards, while pets in the region serve as easy prey, exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts.
Rescue Efforts and Declining Incidents
Over the past five years, the state forest department has rescued 184 leopards in the Junnar division, with most saved from open wells. Increased awareness sessions and efforts to cover these wells have contributed to a decline in such incidents. The number of leopards rescued from open wells decreased from 54 in 2020-2021 to 37 in 2023-24 and 27 in 2024-25.
Recent Spike in Human-Leopard Conflicts
The Junnar Forest Division has experienced a sharp rise in human-leopard conflicts in recent weeks. Since October 2025, at least three people, including two children, have been killed, with several more injured in leopard attacks. This underscores the urgency of the training initiatives to bolster emergency response capabilities and protect public safety in the region.
