Maharashtra forest department to create leopard rescue teams for the state

A leopard seen in Aarey Colony last year. File Pic

Impressed with how Mumbaikars have been setting up a great example of peaceful co-existence with leopards in the city, the Maharashtra Forest Department has decided to implement a similar model across the state. The forest department will be creating leopard rescue teams at many places in the region, along the lines of teams in Mumbai and Thane, so that man-animal conflict situations can be addressed at the earliest.

Speaking to mid-day, AK Misra, chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra and principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), who was on a visit to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park recently, said, "The active involvement of various stakeholders, including the forest department, local residents, NGOs and police, has helped prevent man-animal conflict incidents in the city. We will be working on creating similar initiatives that can be implemented across the state."

Misra, along with Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sunil Limaye from Nagpur, SGNP director Anwar Ahmed, leopard biologist Dr Vidya Athreya, and biologist Nikit Surve, had a three-hour-long discussion with other representatives from SGNP, on the issue.

The requirement of more dedicated veterinary officers in the Thane Forest Department (Territorial) was also discussed.

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