Context: Maharashtra and Gujarat are witnessing a rise in conflicts between humans and leopards, leading to proposed sterilization programs as a means of sustainable population management for these animals. In several regions of India, leopards coexist closely with human settlements, exhibiting surprisingly minimal conflict.
They demonstrate adaptability by thriving in degraded forests, plantations, and agricultural lands, sustaining themselves on diverse prey like small wildlife, domestic animals, and feral creatures. Despite the potential danger posed by these wild predators, rural communities. In these areas often display remarkable tolerance toward their presence. However, the rare yet existent threat to human lives is undeniable. Maharashtra reported 201 fatalities and 902 injuries due to leopard attacks between 1999 and 2005, highlighting the real risk associated with these encounters.
Key Points
Indian Leopard Overview:
The Indian leopard, deemed ‘endangered’ under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It also listed as an Appendix I animal in CITES, faces threats to its survival.
Maharashtra records 1,690 leopards, ranking fourth after Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka as per the 2018 national leopard census.
Conflict and Coexistence:
Human-leopard conflicts persist due to encroachments on the animal’s natural habitat, aided by the shift to water-intensive crops like sugarcane, pomegranate, and grapes.
The leopard’s adaptable nature and ability to subsist on smaller prey enable it to thrive in diverse habitats, fostering inevitable conflicts.
Globally, conflict mitigation strategies range from lethal (culling) to non-lethal (deterrent) measures. Lethal methods are contentious and face opposition, especially in countries like India.
Sterilization Proposal:
Sterilization emerges as a humane and ethical method to manage leopard populations and mitigate conflicts, steering away from controversial lethal measures.
If approved, Maharashtra would pioneer a sustainable approach to leopard population control, striving to ensure coexistence between humans and leopards.
Conclusion
The rise in human-leopard conflicts calls for a balanced approach that considers both conservation and conflict mitigation. Implementing sterilization programs may present a humane strategy in managing leopard populations. Promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and these endangered animals.
Also Read: Rural and Urban Settlements
