Repeated leopard sightings along roads, forest edges and settlements in the Sinhagad-Panshet and Rajgad-Torna areas have prompted the Forest Department to urge residents and tourists to exercise caution, while access to Sinhagad and nearby forest areas has been restricted between 6 pm and 6 am.
The latest reported sighting occurred on the Sinhagad Ghat-Donje route near Jagtap Machi, where two motorists travelling from Khed Shivapur towards Gorhe Khurd saw a male leopard standing in the middle of the road at about 7 pm on Saturday. The animal remained on the road even after the car stopped. It later moved to a stone roadside barrier after the driver switched on the headlights, allowing the motorists to leave the area safely.
A similar incident was reported near Pole village in the Panshet dam valley. A leopard appeared on the Pune-Panshet road as an MSRTC bus travelling towards Tekpole passed through the area at about 7.30 pm. The animal ran into the forest after passengers raised an alarm.
The Forest Department said leopard movement has increased around the Sinhagad-Panshet area, including the Rajgad and Torna region. Sightings have been reported in agricultural fields as well as near residential settlements. The department has appealed to residents and visitors to remain alert, particularly after evening hours.
Vaishali Hadawale, forest range officer of the Sinhagad Forest Department, said visitors and residents are prohibited from entering the Sinhagad fort area and surrounding forest zones between 6 pm and 6 am because leopards are active in locations including Talai Forest Park and Jagtap Machi during those hours. The restriction places the evening movement of tourists and local residents under formal control in an area where forest roads also serve as routes connecting villages and visitor destinations.
Separately, a female leopard was captured in a cage installed by the Forest Department at a grape farm belonging to Prashant Warule in the Chimanwadi area of Warulwadi, in Junnar taluka. The cage had been placed on September 18 after repeated local sightings. Residents said the leopard had approached the cage several times but avoided entering it before being trapped early on Sunday.
The captured animal is estimated to be between one and one-and-a-half years old. With assistance from local residents, an Aapda Mitra volunteer, forest staff and a rescue team, it was taken to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. The operation involved forest guard Dnyaneshwar Pawar, volunteer Sushant Bhujbal and rescue personnel, according to the report.
Residents in the Valuwadi area have said that two leopards are still active there and have requested that the Forest Department install a cage. Cages have also been placed at Belota Mala in Gujrawadi and Hingemala in Savargaon, but the animals have not entered them despite the traps remaining in place for eight and 15 days respectively. Local residents are seeking more effective measures to capture the remaining leopards. The Forest Department’s night-time restriction around Sinhagad remains the immediate operational measure announced for public safety.
