Maharashtra to deploy rapid response teams in every forest division to curb human-wildlife conflict

Incidents of conflict between humans and wild animals are rising in Maharashtra, and the state government has taken a major decision to curb them. It has approved the deployment of special Rapid Response Teams across the state. The State Wildlife Board has endorsed the proposal.

The main aim of the teams is to keep wild animals out of human settlements and reduce attacks on people and livestock. The teams will have tranquilliser guns to sedate animals and special trap cages to capture them. They will be responsible for safely capturing a leopard, tiger or any other wild animal that strays into a settlement and releasing it back into the forest. Veterinary officers will also be part of each team.

According to M. Srinivas Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the Forest Department, the teams will be deployed in every forest division. This will allow immediate action if an animal enters a settlement.

More incidents in Mumbai, Junnar and Chandrapur: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Junnar taluka in Pune district and Chandrapur have been identified as the main centres of the conflict. Leopards emerging from Sanjay Gandhi National Park are repeatedly sighted in residential areas of Mumbai, Thane and Mira-Bhayandar. In Junnar, leopards have attacked people near sugarcane fields. In Chandrapur, tiger movement and attacks have raised concern among residents.

According to Forest Department figures, 501 people died and more than 4,000 were injured in such conflict between 2020-21 and 2025-26. Over the same period, more than 30,000 domestic animals were killed across the state.

Environmental groups object: Environmental organisations have questioned the impact of the decision. They say forests are shrinking because of growing urbanisation, industrial expansion and mining, which forces animals towards human settlements. Suresh Chopane, an environmentalist from Chandrapur, said artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to detect the movement of tigers and leopards towards settlements. However, he stressed that preventive measures are needed without waiting for an attack.

D. Stalin, founder of Vanashakti, criticised the approach of removing animals from their natural habitat. He alleged that relocating animals is being preferred over forest conservation. He also said the impact of development projects on forests and the destruction of habitat, which he called the real causes of the conflict, are being ignored.

Proposal for 320 Forest Department posts: The Forest Department had proposed creating 320 posts. The state Finance Department has suggested some changes. The proposal initially had 272 regular and 48 contractual posts. It has now been recommended that all 320 posts be filled on contract. Sanction of expenditure is required for this.

Maharashtra Wildlife Development Foundation to be set up: The State Wildlife Board has also approved the creation of a Maharashtra Wildlife Development Foundation. Through this body, funds can be provided to protected forest areas that have no separate financial provision. The plan is also to create a unified financial arrangement for conservation work in the state's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.