Overview
- Forest officials captured the leopard after a difficult rescue in Nagpur’s Pardi area, and the forest minister said all seven injured residents were out of danger.
- Forest Minister Ganesh Naik proposed releasing goats in forests to keep leopards from entering settlements, citing compensation costs as justification for the move.
- The government said it has asked the Centre to shift leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II to ease interventions, a step opposition leaders argued is unlikely to be approved soon.
- The Centre allowed sterilisation of only five leopards on an experimental basis, with Maharashtra planning to review results in six months before seeking a wider programme.
- Authorities outlined added measures including AI-driven sirens, drone surveillance, more cages and rescue centres, as TTC officials highlighted funding gaps, inadequate safety gear and even a vehicle breakdown during the Nagpur operation.