Leopard attacks rise in Nashik region India: 12 people killed in five years
Foresters said there have been 10 incidents of leopard straying and/or attacking human beings or animals in the span of past six months. More recently, two attacks were reported in a month in Sinnar area.
The recent attacks in Sinnar resulted in the death of a four-year-old and left a farmer with minor injuries. The forest department laid two cages to trap the leopard but is yet to catch the wild cat.
Forest officials said there has been a significant rise in the leopard population in the region. The recent incidents of leopards straying into human habitats have given rise to the question whether humans have encroached upon their habitats.
"In general, the leopard population has increased. The environment is conducive for them. There have always been instances of leopards being spotted in farms or whisking away domestic animals," said a forest official.
A government resolution was circulated in 2006-07 to provide compensation to animal attack victims. The government directive was amended depending upon the area of attack.
Compensation is given to the injured, the kin of the deceased and to the owner of the domestic animal and farm in case there is death of the animal and destruction of crops. The GR states that even if funds are not available and there is a negative balance sheet, the victim will get immediate aid.
"We have given Rs 8 lakh to the kin of the four-year-old who died in a leopard attack last month. Compensation for the recently injured man will be given according to the doctor's certificate," said a forest official. The forest department has paid a total ex-gratia of Rs 1.22 crore to the kin of the 12 deceased in the past five years. They have also released compensation of Rs 9.21 lakh to the owners of the killed animals.
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