Nagpur, Dec 13 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday made light of the state forest minister's suggestion to release goats into the forest to keep leopards away from human settlements, saying that apart from big cats, villagers will also feast on this prey base.

During an informal interaction with reporters here, Pawar said the idea appeared to have originated from the forest department.

"Instead of leopards, even villagers will feast on the goats released as prey," he said with a chuckle.

Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has suggested that forest officials release goats in large numbers in forests to stop leopards from entering human settlements in search of prey.

"If four people are killed in leopard attacks, the state must pay Rs 1 crore (as compensat

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