In a bid to reduce human-animal conflict in the area and provide animals with a comfortable space, Sanjay Gandhi National Park will host Maharashtra's first leopard safari, which will be ready by the middle of next year

If everything goes according to plan, you may soon be seated in a closed jeep and able to spot 24 leopards that have been kept in captivity at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) since 2000, roaming free, in a 20-hectare safari environment, as early as next year.u00a0



The leopard safari project, which will be the first of its kind in Maharashtra, will cost Rs 1 crore, say forest department insiders. Pune-based wildlife expert Dr Erach Bharucha has been appointed to prepare the plan of the leopard safari, which is its final stage of preparation.

Confirming this, Chief Conservator of Forest and Director, SGNP, Sunil Limaye said, "The plans, prepared by Dr Erach Bharucha, are in the final stage. Once we get the final arrangement, it will be forwarded to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for a final approval. That's when implementation can start."

Most of the leopards in captivity are either injured or man-eaters who were rescued and brought from various parts of Maharashtra including Nashik, Jawahar, Ahmednagar and Pune.