Impact of Leopard Presence on the Daily Wages of Women Workers: A Case Study of Hingangaon Village

Abstract Human–leopard interaction is emerging as an important concern in rural Maharashtra, especially in sugarcane and horticulture landscapes where leopards use cultivated fields as shelter. This paper examines the perceived impact of leopard presence on the daily wage work of women in Hingangaon village (Maharashtra). Using a questionnaire from 150 women daily‑wage workers of Hingangaon Village, Pune District. The study explores the association between level of leopard appearance (no appearance, occasional appearance, frequent appearance) and change in number of working days per month (no reduction, moderate reduction, high reduction). A chi‑square test of independence is applied to test the relationship between these two categorical variables. The results show a highly statistically significant association (χ² = 47.70, df = 4, p < 0.001), suggesting that frequent leopard appearance is strongly linked with a higher proportion of women reporting reduced working days. The study highlights how human–wildlife conflict, beyond physical attacks, can indirectly affect women's livelihoods, mobility and sense of security. Policy implications include the need for sensitization programmes, better night‑time and early‑morning safety arrangements, and livelihood support measures for affected women workers.