The Daund tehsil in Pune has seen a concerning shift in leopard attack patterns, according to senior forest department officials. In contrast to Junnar, where attacks typically occur at night or early morning, Daund has experienced attacks during the afternoon, disrupting the daily lives of residents and farmers who now fear venturing into their fields even during daylight hours.
The recent death of a 50-year-old woman in Kadethan village, suspected to be a leopard attack, has increased tension in the area. Villagers are demanding drastic actions, such as capturing or killing all leopards in the region, due to the rising human fatalities, livestock losses, and crop damage caused by these attacks.
The forest department is still investigating the incident, awaiting the post-mortem report from the police department to confirm the cause of death. A study conducted in Junnar, Shirur, and Daund has also shown a change in leopard behavior, prompting the department to implement measures similar to those in Junnar to mitigate the conflict.
Measures such as distributing tents and solar lamps to shepherds and farm laborers are being introduced in Daund to help alleviate the situation. Despite these efforts, the forest department is under pressure to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the area. The community remains on edge as they await further action from the authorities to ensure their safety and protect their livelihoods.
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