Bhuj: The Gujarat Forest Department is likely to soon move forward with its leopard conservation and breeding project in the Banni grasslands, following multiple inspections by a central expert panel over the past month.

Experts associated with the National Steering Committee for Leopards, constituted by the Government of India, have visited the Thasiya area of Banni twice in the last one month to assess infrastructure readiness for the project. A four-member team, led by wildlife expert Uttam Kumar Sharma, who was involved in developing the leopard conservation facility at Kuno-Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, conducted the latest inspection on Wednesday.

After a detailed review, the expert team recommended several additions to strengthen the facility. These include deployment of all-terrain vehicles for rapid movement across the terrain, installation of advanced veterinary care equipment and medicines, and procurement of a modified rescue vehicle. Officials noted that a similar ambulance-cum-rescue vehicle is already operational at Gir.

Meanwhile, developments at Kuno-Palpur have also drawn attention. Around nine leopards brought from Botswana completed their quarantine period recently. Of these, three have been shifted to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, while the relocation of the remaining animals is yet to be finalised. Gujarat is among the states awaiting possible allocation from this group or from the existing population of leopards at Kuno-Palpur.

The proposed breeding and conservation facility in Banni has been developed with full funding from the Government of India. Spread across 660 hectares, the project has so far seen an expenditure of ₹18 crore out of the sanctioned ₹20 crore.

Infrastructure created at the site includes quarantine bomas, soft-release enclosures, and around 10 fenced compartments of approximately 60 hectares each, designed to facilitate phased release and acclimatisation of leopards in the region. DeshGujarat