DNA Micro Edit: Apathy hits man-animal conflict issue in Aarey

In a span of two months, three incidents have been reported from Aarey milk colony in which three children survived leopard attacks. What is worrying is the fact that despite being aware of the big cat's presence and knowing that they regularly visit human habitation to hunt for poultry and dogs, except for the forest department, no other government authority involved seems interested in taking up responsibility.

Aarey Milk Colony falls under the jurisdiction of the dairy department. It lacks a proper waste management system, as the BMC is yet to set up a proper collection system for tribal hamlets, nor there are any plans for the future.

Dogs easily fall prey to leopards, and with uncovered and overflowing garbage dumps, the canine population has been thriving and attracting these leopards.

To make matters worse, there is lack of proper electricity sources in and around the hamlets, due to which at times, one cannot even spot a leopard crouching behind a wall of a house or wood stored for burning. Open defecation due to few number of public toilets is another issue which adds to the woes of the residents.

Studies indicate that trapping leopards will only worsen the situation. The only way forward is to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife by providing facilities that will help avoid such conflict. For this, the BMC, Dairy Department, Forest department as well as the elected representatives will have to come together, sort out differences and plan effective on-ground measures as early as possible.