Maharashtra Moves Towards Tackling Leopard Menace

Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to propose a cabinet plan declaring leopard attacks as a 'state disaster'. Measures include reclassification of leopards under the Wild Life Act, immediate deployment of cages, use of drones, and enhancing rescue centre capacities to mitigate rising human-leopard conflicts.

In a bid to address the increasing menace of leopard attacks on humans, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed classifying these incidents as a 'state disaster'. During a high-level meeting, he stressed the need for immediate and long-term strategies to manage man-eating leopards effectively.

Leopards, currently enjoying the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, pose operational challenges in dealing with threats, according to Fadnavis. He directed officials to seek reclassification for more flexible management and announced plans for new rescue centres and technological assistance like drones for monitoring.

The proposed measures follow a series of leopard attacks in the region, leading to local unrest. The use of sterilization, augmented patrolling, and additional rescue operations are among the planned actions aimed at reducing human-leopard conflict, ensuring the safety of the affected communities.