Leopards, dogs dominate Legislative Assembly debate

The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly began on Monday, and for three days, discussions were dominated by debates over the leopard menace in Pune, Ahilyanagar and other districts, along with the statewide stray dog problem.

- Varad Bhatkhande

Leopard-related arguments intensified on Tuesday when Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik was targeted by more than 30 MLAs, while statements by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge on stray dogs continued to attract widespread attention. Although these are important concerns, the sustained focus has raised questions about whether they are the only issues confronting Maharashtra.

Human-wildlife conflict has surged across the state as leopard sightings have been reported in Pune, Ahilyanagar, Nashik, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and other districts. Several MLAs told the Assembly that sightings had also been reported in Mumbai, although the accuracy of these claims remains uncertain.

Debates on stray dogs resurfaced with renewed vigour as India continues to deliberate over the issue, with the frequency of discussions increasing in recent months following important rulings by the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court. The first three days of the seven-day winter session were heavily centred on leopards and dogs.