Teen ‘Leopard Ambassadors’ increase awareness about big cat

Two Leopard Ambassadors educate people in their village about human-leopard conflict situation

Striking a blow for peaceful co-existence, a unique initiative by the forest department and individual human-animal conflict experts is building a brigade of 15-year-old Leopard Ambassadors who are now spreading word in their neighbourhood about the big, spotted cats. Through interesting stories and facts on the behaviour of leopards, students from Classes VIII and IX are talking to their families and villagers about how to build a peaceful relationship with the big cat, without putting either in harm’s way.

The initiative, as of now limited to the Narayangaon Forest Range of Junnar Forest Division, is focusing on creating a team of teenage yet well-informed animal lovers out of Class 8, 9 and 10 children. Mrunal Ghosalkar, from Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) said her intention of selecting the region was due to the high exposure to leopard activity of the residents and to abolish their myths about the animal.

“There are a number of small things that can avoid making the human-animal conflict a worrisome event. Minor precautions about livestock protection or changes in human behaviour not only reduce the conflict situation but also create peaceful co-existence,” said Ms Ghosalkar.

A number of experts, including noted international experts on human-animal conflict, have joined hands with Ms Ghosalkar and Junnar Forest Division in this initiative, which started in March 2016.

The experts not only educate the children about the spotted big cat but also tell them different interesting stories through which they throw light on the behaviour of the animal.

The team then selects three or four children from a batch to be christened Leopard Ambassadors. The ambassadors then take the information forward and speak with their families and villagers. Around 15 ambassadors from four schools are already working on the initiative.

Dr Vidya Athreya said the idea for the initiative came from the Pune collector. She also said example of conflict zones in Mumbai had already showed them how increasing awareness can reduce conflict situations. “Mumbai’s example showed us how the people are completely unaware about the animal behaviour and believe in its attacking nature. Through our own field experience, we are trying to spread awareness, eventually resulting in co-existence,” said Dr Athreya.