India, Aug. 8 -- In an indicator of the escalating man-animal conflict in the Pune forest circle - Pune, Junnar and Solapur divisions - the forest department has disbursed a total Rs.18.60 crore in compensation over the last two-and-a-half years from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2025 towards losses caused by wild animal attacks. Notably, the Junnar division - which has long grappled with man-leopard conflict - accounts for the highest number of claims and payouts.

According to official data, the forest department paid Rs.7.91 crore in wildlife damage compensation in 2023 which increased to Rs.8.40 crore in 2024. During the first seven months of 2025, the department paid Rs.2.28 crore in compensation however an expected spike in animal act...