Turning conflict into opportunity: Maharashtra MLAs learn from Jawai leopards

To address misconceptions that portray leopards as villains in humanleopard conflict zones an exposure visit was organised to Jawai in Rajasthan a region known for its model of humanleopard coexistencePublic representatives from Maharashtrarsquos sugarcane belt regions that have witnessed humanleopard conflict were taken to the Jawai Leopard Safari to showcase relatively peaceful coexistence The visit was aimed at demonstrating how leopards can be seen as an asset rather than a liabilityMaharashtra legislators Amol Khatal left and Sharad Sonawane rightDistricts such as Nashik Pune and Ahilyanagar have reported instances of humanleopard conflict including fatalities and injuries Residents in these areas have also staged protests against the state forest department and the government alleging inadequate measures to mitigate the conflictMan behind the ideaPraveen Pardeshi the chief ministerrsquos chief economic advisor who is known for his interest in wildlife conservation and played a key role in protecting several areas in Maharashtra during his tenure as forest secretary was instrumental in planning the exposure visitldquoThe exposure visit was aimed at changing perceptions of leopards from being seen as threats to valuable assets and by understanding and respecting their behaviour coexistence becomes possible as demonstrated in Jawai an approach that can be replicated in Nashik Pune and Ahilyanagar to reduce conflict while creating sustainable livelihood opportunitiesrdquo said Pardeshi The Habitats Trust played a key role in planning this visitMLA SpeakJunnar MLA Sharad Sonawane said ldquoOur exposure visit to Jawai in Rajasthan has completely changed our perspective on leopards We observed how they can become an asset for local communities by generating livelihoods through homestays and safari tourism We would welcome similar initiatives being implemented in the Junnar regionrdquoPraveen Pardeshi chief economic advisor to CM Devendra Fadnavis FILE PICAshish Thakare chief conservator of forest Pune told midday ldquoA similar model could be developed in Junnar integrating leopardbased tourism with other attractions such as forts and temple tourism to create a broader visitor experiencerdquoThe visitorsCabinet Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil MLAs Dilip Walse Patil Amol Khatal Kashinath Date Sharad Sonawane and Vithalrao Langhe along with Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar Chief Conservator of Forest G Mallikarjun and Conservator of Forest Ashish Thakare visited the sanctuary All of the public representatives hail from districts that have reported cases of humanwildlife conflictVoiceRushikesh Chavan director The Habitats TrustlsquoCapturing leopards is a temporary fix not a solution True resolution comes from designing landscapes where humans and wildlife can safely coexist As seen in Jawai the goal is to turn potential conflict into a shared resource moving beyond the struggle and finding ways to turn a common challenge into an opportunityrsquoDr Jitendra Ramgaonkar Chief Conservator of Forest Wildlife WestldquoRecently public representatives from Pune Nashik and Ahilyanagar districtsmdashwhere humanleopard conflict has led to deaths and injuriesmdashvisited Jawai in Rajasthan as part of an exposure visit The aim was to demonstrate how leopards can be seen as an asset rather than a liabilityrdquo