India, Feb. 6 -- A sharp rise in human-leopard conflict from October to December 2025 in Junnar, Shirur and the adjoining areas has prompted the Pune forest department to launch an extensive leopard (population) census across non-protected areas of the Junnar forest division. This is the first time such a large-scale assessment is being conducted outside protected forest areas in the region.

A senior forest official said, "The growing conflict situation has made it necessary to conduct a scientific population assessment. An accurate estimate of leopard numbers and their spatial distribution will help the department frame effective conflict mitigation strategies and guide future policy decisions."

Started in January and expected to be co...