Government launches major plan in Junnar to manage human-leopard conflict with sterilisation and rescue centres
Government
In Junnar taluka of Pune district the Maharashtra government has approved a pilot sterilisation project for leopards and plans to establish multiple rescue centres as human-leopard conflicts rise.
Junnar, Pune | Nov 19, 2025 – : The Maharashtra government has unveiled an extensive plan to address the growing conflict between leopards and residents in Junnar, one of the most affected regions in Pune district. Frequent sightings, livestock attacks and close encounters in sugar-cane fields have raised anxiety in several villages, prompting the state to introduce a combination of population control, better rescue infrastructure and strengthened surveillance.
Officials confirmed that the government has approved a pilot sterilization programme for leopards, making Junnar the first region in India to attempt such a measure. The plan focuses on immuno-contraception for female leopards to stabilise population growth in zones where human activity overlaps wildlife corridors. Forest authorities said this approach is intended to control conflict, not reduce the species, and will be carried out by trained veterinary teams under strict protocols.
Two new rescue and rehabilitation centres have also been approved for Pune district. The existing Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, which already shelters several injured and conflict-prone big cats, will be expanded to accommodate the rising number of rescued leopards. Officials said the upgraded facilities will help manage cases in which animals cannot be immediately released back into the wild.
The government has allocated funds for building new cages, strengthening rapid-response units, improving transport vehicles and increasing the number of trained personnel available for rescue calls. High-risk villages will receive AI-enabled monitoring systems, camera traps and early-warning alarms to detect leopard movement. Patrol teams will be deployed more frequently across sugar-cane belts, which serve as natural hiding spaces for leopards.
Residents in Junnar have been reporting rising encounters for months, including sightings near schools, wells and roadside settlements. Some villages have claimed that more than ten leopards were seen roaming within small radiuses during the harvest season, creating daily fear among farmers. People working in fields early in the morning or returning late at night have been especially anxious.
Forest officials say that the ecological changes in the region are a major driver of the conflict. Expansion of sugar-cane cropping, fragmentation of forests and declining wild prey have pushed leopards closer to human establishments. The new action plan aims to address immediate threats through rescue and monitoring, while efforts are also being made to study habitat conditions and suggest long-term solutions.
There are ongoing discussions about improving coordination between forest, agriculture and local governance bodies. Awareness sessions are planned for villagers to help them understand leopard behaviour, avoid risky movement patterns and report sightings quickly. The state has also indicated that compensation processes for livestock loss will be made faster and simpler.
Not everyone is convinced that sterilization alone will fix the problem. Wildlife experts caution that habitat degradation must be addressed alongside population control. They fear that temporary measures may push leopards into adjoining regions rather than reducing conflicts sustainably. However, the government believes the multipronged strategy will help stabilise the situation and reduce panic among residents.
As preparations begin, forest teams are mapping hotspots, reinforcing traps, checking equipment and holding drills for emergency rescues. The coming months will reveal how effectively the plan can reduce tensions and whether Junnar’s pilot project can serve as a blueprint for other states struggling with similar issues.
