Farmer builds water tanks for leopards

Ranmala village of Khed taluka, which prior to now emerged because the flagbearer of the state's huge tree plantation pressure by means of planting a sapling on events like beginning, marriage and death, is continuous its role-model streak by means of now formulating ingenious tactics to mitigate man-animal conflict

Farmer Nilesh Shivaji Shinde, 25, of the village has built water tanks by means of using empty barrels, perched on the neighbouring hill, for wild animals, particularly leopards. His intention is to allow them to have simple get right of entry to to water, lack of which makes them stray into human habitats. These tanks are refilled each two day with assist from water tankers.

The safeguard has been carried out in the light of seven assaults (on farm animals, pets and humans) on the village inside of three hundred and sixty five days. Given the effectiveness of Shinde's tactics, they have gained him improve from the joint forest management committee comprising forest division officials and locals, who've also made up our minds to build such tanks in the space.

Shinde instructed Mirror, "I built six water ponds in the area to prevent the attacks. I slice the iron barrels into two halves to create the tanks. And this small gesture has been effective as since a month, barely one wild animal has entered the village. These tanks are filled every two days from our wells."

PT Shinde, a retired number one teacher and pioneer of tree plantation pressure - Smruti Vruksha, which was replicated all over the state - also spoke on the effectiveness of this simple transfer.

He stated, "In the past, there were many man-animal conflict incidents and leopard sightings in this area. These tanks have, in a way, mitigated them by proving water to an array of wild animals. These facilities measure 5X5 ft and are far from farms and human establishments."

He added that the 25-year-old's efforts were impressed a number of other farmers form the village to absorb the task. They will now construct 3 concrete tanks on the hillock.

Dr Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian on the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre , while acknowledging the rising spate of assaults - that experience even resulted in deaths - appreciated the village's effort. "Such kind of public participation helps us to reduce man-animal conflict. This model needs to be replicated in other leopard-prone areas," he stated, including, "There is a shortage of forest staff and fund as well. The officials cannot reach every village to create such awareness sessions. But what the villagers are doing in these circumstances is praiseworthy."