Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Maharashtra Tackles Leopard Attacks with AI, Drones, and Policy Changes
In Maharashtra, India, there have been many leopard attacks on people, including some that caused deaths.
The government is trying to stop these attacks by using new technology like drones to find the leopards and cages to catch them.
They also want to change the rules about how to handle leopards that attack people, so they can protect people better.
Recently, people in one area were so angry about the attacks that they burned a government car.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to declare leopard attacks on humans as a 'state disaster'
Proposal to move leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II list to allow greater control over man-eating leopards
Immediate measures include deployment of cages, drones, and rescue centers for captured leopards
Long-term strategies involve sterilization of man-eating leopards and increased patrolling in affected areas
Recent attacks in Pune's Shirur tehsil led to public unrest, with residents torching a forest department vehicle
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Maharashtra Forest Department
- What
- Implementing immediate and long-term measures to address increasing human-leopard conflict, including policy changes and enhanced control methods
- When
- Tuesday, November 18 (announcement), with measures being implemented on a war footing
- Where
- Pune district's Shirur tehsil, with a focus on the Junnar Forest Division
- Why
- To reduce human-leopard conflict following recent attacks that resulted in fatalities and public unrest
Public Safety Concerns
Wildlife Management & Animal Welfare
Leopard Attacks and Public Anger
Public Safety Concerns
Growing number of leopard attacks, including three recent fatalities in Shirur tehsil, have led to public outrage, with residents protesting and torching a forest department vehicle.
Wildlife Management & Animal Welfare
Increased human-leopard conflict is a complex issue requiring careful management to protect both humans and wildlife.
Methods of Control and Containment
Public Safety Concerns
The demand is for intensified efforts like using more cages and drones to capture big cats, alongside policy changes to allow greater control over man-eating leopards.
Wildlife Management & Animal Welfare
Concerns have been raised by animal lovers regarding the use of livestock as bait inside cages, indicating a need to balance control methods with animal welfare principles.
- Responsible Department
- Maharashtra Forest Department
- Key Official
- Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Chief Minister
- Affected Area
- Pune district's Shirur tehsil, Junnar Forest Division
- New Technologies Deployed
- Drones for tracking leopards, cages for capture
- Proposed Policy Change
- Reclassifying leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II
- Recent Fatalities
- 3 people in Shirur tehsil in over a month
Sources
Centre clears leopard sterilisation plan: Officials
Maharashtra To Use AI, Drones For Surveillance To Curb Leopard Attacks
Maharashtra govt eyes to take leopards off Schedule I list amid rising attacks by them
