The forest department would provide guided safaris in certified safari vehicles, providing a managed wildlife tourism experience to visitors (Photo: Maha Forest Official)
In order to curb human-animal conflict in parts of Maharashtra, the state government’s Forest Department has outlined a plan to start leopard safaris in Trimbakeshwar and Yeola in Nashik division.
In a press statement, the Department says that the plan was reviewed at a review meeting chaired by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, who asked officials to create a full project report for the approval of the government.
According to the statement, the safari zones will be vast walled forest areas to allow rescued and captive leopards a semi-natural home. The forest department would provide guided safaris in certified safari vehicles, providing a managed wildlife tourism experience to visitors.
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“We are planning leopard safaris at Yeola and Trimbakeshwar. The area could be around 25 acres or more, but it will be finalised only after detailed site surveys,” says Sumit Nirmal, Range Forest Officer, Government of Maharashtra.
The statement adds that in safari zones, the agency intends to rehabilitate leopards that are rescued in conflict circumstances like straying into human settlements. The move will ease demand on rescue facilities and also lessen incidences of human-wildlife conflict in several sections of Nashik district.