Maharashtra mulls sterilisation of leopards to control their population
The state government of Maharashtra is considering sterilizing leopards due to a rise in population and conflicts with humans. The government is preparing a proposal to be sent to the central government for approval. Maharashtra has the third highest population of leopards in India, and forest officials believe the number has significantly increased in recent years. The forest department is also increasing measures to minimize conflicts, such as increasing the number of cages and rescue vehicles. Gujarat has also requested permission for leopard sterilization.
Mumbai: The state government is mulling the idea of sterilising leopards in the wake of its rise in population and instances of man-animal conflict. The government is likely to send a proposal on the same to the central government for approval.
In a review meeting held by forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar recently, the department was asked to prepare an action plan for sterilisation. The department has also been directed to study the steps taken by other states, if any, to control the population.
Maharashtra has an estimated 1,690 of India’s leopard population of 12,852 according to the ‘Status of Leopards, Co-predators and Megaherbivores in India-2018’ report. Though Maharashtra has the third highest population of leopards according to the report released in 2018, after Madhya Pradesh (3,421) and Karnataka (1,783), forest officials believe that the number has significantly increased in the last few years.
“The central government is rigid about such decisions. For sterilisation, we will have to take permission from the central government. There is a rise in the number of incidents wherein humans are attacked by feline cats. Sterilisation is one of the measures we are mulling over,” added Mungantiwar.
The forest minister also said that they are taking steps to avoid leopard-human conflicts.
“We are increasing the number of cages and rapid rescue vehicles to minimise conflict. The leopards have started coming to human habitats due to the easy availability of prey like cattle and dogs. The forest department has also been directed to conduct scientific studies to make the grazing land, and water bodies available for them in the jungle. Precautionary warnings to reduce the conflict,” Mungantiwar said.
The minister said that the forest department has over 65 leopards in captivity, and they include conflict animals, the ones that are injured and being treated. “The department is talking to various zoo authorities for the adoption of these leopards as they cannot be released in the forest again being the conflict animals. We are also planning a leopard safari in Junnar to attract tourists,” he said.
“Though none of the states has undertaken the sterilisation, it is the need of the hour as the population is exceedingly more than the ability of the forest to accommodate them. For instance, in western Maharashtra, the forestation is just 9% and the number of leopards is over 100 which is more than double the capacity of the forest. This is the reason the leopards have made cane fields their habitat,” said a forest official requesting anonymity.
Gujarat has recently requested the central government to allow the sterilisation of the leopards.
Mungantiwar, who held a review meeting recently over the issue, the state government was also recommending amendments in the laws for the safety of people as well as wildlife. He also has directed the forest officials to study similar types of efforts undertaken by any other state, if any.