Leopard Roams Sarni Streets: A Wake-Up Call on Human-Wildlife Conflict in Satpura Corridor

In a startling incident that underscores the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Madhya Pradesh, a leopard was spotted roaming near the coal handling plant and along the busy state highway 19B in Sarni, Betul district, during the early hours of May 1. The prolonged presence of this big cat in an urban setting — and the forest department’s delayed response — has reignited serious concerns about wildlife safety and public preparedness in the Satpura landscape.

The Satpura Biodiversity Conservation Society (SBCS), a grassroots conservation organisation based in Sarni, has officially submitted a complaint to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bhopal. In the complaint, SBCS highlights systemic negligence by local forest officials in safeguarding both wildlife and the surrounding human population.

Leopard Crossing Road In Sarni.

“Despite repeated warnings and documentation of tiger and leopard movements within Sarni, no concrete protective or surveillance measures have been implemented by the authorities,” stated SBCS President Adil Khan. “This oversight not only jeopardizes animal lives, but also poses grave risks to local communities.”

The Sarni region forms a vital part of the Satpura-Melghat Tiger Corridor, a key ecological passage for large carnivores in central India. However, expanding roads, coal-related infrastructure, and unchecked human activity have severely compromised this corridor. According to a 2021 report, road development is among the top threats fragmenting this habitat and triggering an uptick in conflict zones.

Adil Khan, President, SBCS at Van Bhawan Bhopal.

SBCS has also documented multiple past instances of tigers and leopards moving through urban Sarni — particularly near residential areas such as AB-Type colony MPPGCL Sarni — highlighting how porous the human-wildlife boundary has become. Frequent sightings have been recorded as far back as 2018, with no permanent resolution or monitoring system put in place.

The Satpura Thermal Power Plant (STPP) in Sarni, Madhya Pradesh, poses a significant barrier to wildlife movement within the Satpura-Melghat corridor. Located in the Sarni range, the STPP’s infrastructure and associated activities disrupt the natural migration paths of species like tigers and leopards, leading to habitat fragmentation and increased human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation reports highlight the need for strategic land-use planning and the implementation of mitigation measures, such as wildlife corridors or underpasses, to restore connectivity and ensure the long-term survival of wildlife populations in the region.

Satpura Thermal Power Plant, Sarni.

In response to this latest incident, SBCS recommends the following immediate actions:

1. Accountability: Immediate suspension and investigation of negligent forest staff.

2. Enhanced Monitoring: Strategic deployment of trap cameras and regular patrolling in known wildlife movement areas.

3. Public Safety Measures: Installation of wildlife warning signs and temporary barricades near highways and industrial zones.

4. Community Engagement: Joint meetings between forest authorities, conservationists, and local communities to develop cooperative wildlife management plans.

This alarming episode is a reminder of the fragile balance between development and conservation. As industrialization and urban expansion continue to eat into wilderness zones, only a unified approach — one that combines science, policy, and public participation — can offer a sustainable solution to the growing human-wildlife conflict.