Jaipur, March 14 -- The state government will launch seven prey base augmentation centres across the state on World Forest Day (March 21) to strengthen the forest food chain and reduce incidents of human-animal conflict. A senior forest department official said the move aims to increase the population of herbivores that serve as natural prey for predators such as the Tiger and the Leopard. Authorities believe that the growing number of wild animals straying into human settlements is largely due to the declining prey base inside forests, which forces predators to move out in search of food. "When natural prey becomes scarce in forests, carnivores often venture outside their habitats to hunt livestock or other animals, increasing the chances of human-animal conflict. Strengthening the prey base will help retain predators within forest ecosystems," an official said. Forest officials said the centres will focus on breeding and raising herbivore species such as deer and antelope, which will later be released into nearby forest habitats to strengthen the natural prey base and restore ecological balance. Officials also pointed out that leopards have been sighted nearly a dozen times in residential areas of Jaipur this year. Wildlife experts believe that shrinking prey populations within forests is one of the reasons behind such incidents. "The frequent sightings of leopards in city neighbourhoods indicate that something is not right within their habitat. Food and water availability must improve to keep them inside forest areas. Considering the growing predator population, the current prey base is inadequate," the official said. The initiative forms part of the 2025-26 state budget announcement, which proposes the establishment of 20 prey base augmentation enclosures across Rajasthan at an estimated cost of Rs.30 crore....