Leopard Menace: Maharashtra's Innovative Strategy to Safeguard Human Settlements

Maharashtra's Forest Minister Ganesh Naik proposes releasing goats in forests to deter leopards from human areas, amid rising attacks. The state plans experimental leopard sterilization and habitat changes to mitigate risks. Planting bamboo and fruit trees will help maintain natural prey within forests.

Maharashtra's Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has unveiled an unconventional approach to mitigating leopard attacks: releasing goats into forests to prevent leopards from encroaching into human areas. This decision comes in response to concerns raised over the increasing incidence of fatal leopard encounters in Maharashtra.

Naik emphasizes that compensating for attacks is costly, hence a preemptive strategy of deploying goats—valued at Rs 1 crore—as a means to keep leopards within their natural habitat. The proposed strategy also includes experimental sterilization of leopards and planting bamboo to create natural boundaries around dense forests.

Habitat changes, such as planting fruit trees, aim to sustain leopards' prey within forest boundaries. The scheme also involves negotiating for leopards to be reclassified to allow more proactive interventions. Opposition voices, however, predict resistance from the Union government to reclassify leopards under the Wildlife Protection Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)