Polls in Maharashtra show locals urging politicians to prioritize human-leopard conflict in Junnar

Owing to the growing human-leopard conflict in Junnar and Ambegaon tehsils, residents of these constituencies are now demanding that politicians prioritize the threat posed by these elusive predators over basic infrastructure in the November 20 state assembly elections.

Sanjay Wagh, a farmer in Pimpalwandi village, said, “In the last two years, farm incomes have fallen by 30 to 35% due to leopard attacks. The threat is still there and it is high time that the authorities take strong action on this issue. For this, our representatives must raise their voices for us. They should put pressure on the government to prioritize measures to resolve the human-leopard conflict in Junnar tehsil.”

Sandeep Lende, a farmer in Junnar tehsil, said, “The increase in leopard sightings, attacks on people and livestock, and damage to crops have become serious concerns in Junnar. The farmers are now really concerned about the safety of their family members and that of the farm workers. The problem has escalated to such an extent that farmers in Junnar are now struggling to find farm labourers. Therefore, our representatives must raise their voice against the human-leopard conflict in Junnar. Serious efforts are needed to resolve this conflict. Our village must be free of leopards.”

The residents of Junnar and Ambegaon tehsils have been forced to change their lifestyle and prioritize safety measures to reduce the risks of leopards in these areas. Since March this year, Junnar tehsil has reported seven human deaths due to leopard attacks. In Ambegaon tehsil too, there have been occasional leopard attacks on livestock and farmers have suffered crop losses. Backed into a corner, residents are demanding that local representatives prioritize the human-leopard conflict over basic needs such as adequate water supply, electricity and pukka roads. Meanwhile, candidates of various political parties contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections have acknowledged the villagers’ demand and vowed to make necessary efforts if elected.

Satyashil Shekrakr, who contested the Nationalist Congress Party/NCP (SP) elections, said, “As part of the election campaign, I visited several villages in Junnar constituency. Besides water supply and road issues, there are also demands to resolve the human-leopard conflict in Junnar. I have promised the people that all necessary efforts will be made to solve this problem in Junnar.”

Atul Benke, who contested the elections from the NCP (Ajit Pawar), said in his social media campaign, “Efforts have been made to declare Junnar as a leopard prone area and a district disaster area. We have also contacted the authorities concerned to provide agricultural electricity to farmers in Junnar during the day. The government is also trying to implement various measures to resolve the human-leopard conflict in Junnar, including increasing the capacity of the leopard facility in Manikdoh.”

Sharad Sonawane, who is contesting the election as an independent candidate, has held two protests over the issue since March. Recently, Sonawane held a protest in Pimpari Pendhar village between October 9 and 12 after a 40-year-old woman died in a leopard attack. The protest was later called off after a meeting with the district collector. Sonawane has spoken out about the issue and tried to draw the authorities’ attention to it. Other independent candidates such as Asha Buchake and Devram Lande have received similar demands and have promised to make necessary efforts to resolve the human-leopard conflict in these constituencies.