Sanjay P.Khodake and Yogeshwar M.Nandre

Department of Zoology

Karm. A. M. Patil Arts, Commerce & Kai. N. K. Patil Science Senior College,

Pimplaner Tal. Sakri Dist. Dhule

email: sanjay.khodke@gmail.com

Abstract:

Human–leopard conflict is rising across many parts of Maharashtra. Sakri Taluka in the Dhule district has recently emerged as a significant hotspot for human-leopard (Pantherapardus) conflict. A survey including questionnaire was conducted in six sites of Sakritaluka.The average number of injuries and deaths due to leopard attacks in study area is noted. Majority of the leopard attack victims in study area were livestock and young people, with a noticeable increase in incidents in winter. This study explores the correlation between rapid habitat degradation, driven by agricultural expansion and deforestation. By analyzing recent incidents inNov-Dec, 2025 and Jan, 2026, including attacks on motorists and livestock predation, the study highlights the need for localized mitigation strategies that move beyond mere translocation toward habitat restoration and community-based co-management. Key recommendations include restoring habitat connectivity, targeted livestock-protection measures, community awareness programs, and strengthened rapid-response capacity for the forest department.

Keywords: Pantherapardus, Human-Leopard conflict, Habitat degradation, livestock, Sakri

Introduction:

The leopard (Pantherapardus) is a highly adaptable apex predator capable of surviving in diverse landscapes. Leopard thrives across diverse habitats, ranging from lowlands to elevations of 4400 m, encompassing grasslands, forests, and mountainous terrains (Can et al., 2020; Baralet al., 2023). Leopards play a critical ecological role but increasingly come into conflict with humans where natural habitats are altered or fragmented.Sakri is characterized by its hilly terrain and traditional forest patches which have undergone significant fragmentation. In the Dhule district of north-western Maharashtra, particularly Sakritaluka, a string of leopard incidents reported by local and national media indicates both recurring close encounters and occasional attacks on people and domestic animals. Their diet consists of many prey species, including birds, rodents, and other small mammals, yet they favor medium-sized ungulates as their primary food source (Hayward et al., 2006; Bhandari, Baral&Adhikari, 2022). As natural prey bases like barking deer and wild boar diminish due to habitat loss, leopards are increasingly drawn to human settlements. This study compiles recent documented incidents and explores how habitat degradation, agricultural expansion, and water scarcity contribute to these conflicts.

Aim of the study: The study explores the correlation between habitat degradation and the increasing frequency of leopard attacks on livestock and humans in Sakritaluka.

Objectives:

1. To study how habitat degradation links to Human-Leopard conflict.

2. To study the recent incidents of leopard attack in Sakri region.

3. To study the steps to adopt mitigation measures and recommendations.

Materials and Methods:

          Study area:Sakri Tal, Dhule district, MaharashtraSakri Tal lies in the western part of Dhule district, a region composed of mixed dry-deciduous patches, agricultural lands, and scattered village settlements. Over recent years the landscape mosaic has shifted: increasing irrigation, expansion of monoculture and seasonal crops, and human settlement growth have modified leopard habitat, producing more edge environments attractive to adaptable carnivores but increasing human–animal interface.

Methodology:

This study is based on:

(1) A survey including questionnaire was conducted in leopard attack sites of Sakritaluka.

(2) Evidenceof leopard attacks was collected from Range Forest Office, Pimpalner&Sakri.

(3) A targeted review of recent news reports and rescue-records concerning leopard incidents in Sakritaluka(Nov-Dec, 2025 & Jan, 2026).

(4) Synthesis of conservation commentary on causes of human–leopard conflict in Maharashtra.

(5) Application of standard conflict-mitigation recommendations from wildlife-management practice.

Results and Discussion:

       Habitat Degradation: Habitat degradation in Sakritalukais not just the loss of trees; it is the fundamental alteration of the landscape.

 

Drivers: How habitat degradation links to conflict:

1. Loss of contiguous natural habitat and fragmentation: As native scrub and dry deciduous patches are converted to farmland or divided by roads and settlements, leopards lose continuous ranges and are forced to use remnant patches and agricultural edges for hunting and movement. This increases encounters with people. (General pattern reflected in regional case studies of Maharashtra.)
2. Agricultural Encroachment: The conversion of forest fringes into agricultural land, particularly for cash crops, has blurred the boundaries between wild and domestic spaces.
3. Loss of Natural Prey: Overgrazing by domestic cattle and illegal wood felling in the Sahyadri spurs surrounding Sakri have depleted the natural fodder for ungulates.
4. Food availability in altered landscapes: Converted landscapes (e.g., irrigated fields, sugarcane, and grain stores) attract prey species (rodents, feral dogs, small ungulates) and sometimes stray/guard dogs or livestock in the village periphery. This draws leopards into fields and village edges, increasing overlap.
5. Feral Dog Populations: Poor waste management in villages near Sakri attracts feral dogs, which serve as a “primary protein source” for leopards, drawing them into the heart of human habitations.
6. The ‘Sugarcane’ Effect: Similar to the Junnar model, leopards in Sakri are utilizing tall crops like sugarcane and maize as ‘pseudo-forests’, providing them with cover and easy access to domestic dogs and livestock.
7. Water scarcity and use of village water sources: Drier months push big cats to seek water in village wells, storage pots, and livestock troughs. The 2024 ‘head-stuck-in-pot’ rescue illustrates how proximity to human water sources can create hazardous interactions.
8. Human behaviors and infrastructure gaps: Free-ranging livestock, nocturnal outdoor activities, and lack of secure night-time animal enclosures increase vulnerability. Inadequate rapid-response and local reporting mechanisms can exacerbate risk and delay safe capture/relocation measures.

Recent Leopard Attacks (In last Three Months): Case Studies

Recent data highlights a shift in leopard behavior, moving from nocturnal stealth to more aggressive daylight encounters.While the incidents of leopard attacks in Nashik and Kolhapur are fresh, a leopard created terror in Sakritaluka on the evening of November 19, 2025.On the Nandwan-Trishulpada-Bhadne route, between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm, the leopard attacked four separate places in a span of just one and a half hours. Six persons traveling on three bikes were injured in these attacks.

Date	Location	Incident Type	Outcome
Nov 19, 2025	Nandwan Road,BhadaneShivar, Sakri	Attack on home-goers (motorists / bike)	The leopard first attacked HarshalShewale and DnyaneshwarBichkule of Nandwan. He was going home from Sakri on a two-wheeler. Then a leopard suddenly pounced on them near the temple of Ashapuri Devi, one to two kilometers from Bhadne village. Both were injured in this incident. They threw away the motorcycle and fled for their lives.
Nov 19, 2025	BhadaneShivar, Sakri	Attack on approaching friend	After reaching Sakri, HarshalShewale and DnyaneshwarBichkule informed their friend GhanshyamDevare about the attack. Ghanshyam along with his friends NitinDeore and AtulSalunkhe was coming to Sakri on the same road to meet the injured. At that time, the leopard attacked and injured all three of them.
Nov 19, 2025	Bhadaneroute, Sakri	Attack on motorists (bike)	After this incident, two more youths of TrishulPada village were attacked by a leopard.
Nov 19, 2025	Bhadane route, Sakri	leopard attacked a car	The leopard attacked a car. Fortunately, no one in this car was injured.
Dec 24, 2025	Wathode (Adjacent Shirpur/Sakri)	Livestock Predation	Three calves killed in a single night
Jan 2026	Rural Sakri Fringes	Daytime Sighting/Chasing	Panic in local farming communities

Table No.1: Showing Leopard attacks in last three months (Nov-Dec-Jan)

These incidents taken together show a pattern of opportunistic leopard movements into human-dominated spaces, occasionally with catastrophic outcomes.

Consequences for people and leopards:

• For communities: Loss of life or injury, economic loss from livestock depredation, psychological stress, reduced willingness to coexist, and occasional mob action against forest staff or animals. High-profile human fatalities have led to public pressure for capture or translocation.The socio-economic impact in Sakri is profound. Farmers are increasingly reluctant to work in fields after sunset, affecting crop yields.
• For leopards: Injured or trapped animals, culling/translocation risks, and reduced survival prospects when forced into human-dominated landscapes. Repeated capture-and-relocation without addressing habitat drivers often leads to reappearance of conflict elsewhere.

Mitigation and Recommendations(locally actionable for Sakri Tal):

To address the conflict in SakriTaluka, a multi-pronged approach is required:

• Habitat Restoration: Reforestation of the local grazing lands to encourage the return of natural prey.
• Water management:Create or maintain wildlife-friendly water points away from villages (seasonal waterholes located near core habitat) to reduce visits to human water sources.
• Community awareness and behaviour change:
  • Conduct sustained awareness campaigns about safe timings, travel advisories (avoid walking alone at night in high-risk zones), and steps to take during sightings (call forest helpline, do not provoke the animal).
  • Encourage community reporting networks (mobile WhatsApp groups linked to forest department rapid-response teams) for faster, safer response.
  • Improve carcass disposal practices to avoid attracting leopards and scavengers.
• Do not allow grass to grow near the house.
• Fencing houses and cowsheds.
• Solar Street Lighting: Installing high-intensity solar lights in “conflict hotspots” identified by the Forest Department.Make availability of electricity to agriculture only during day hours.
• Rapid Response Teams (RRT): Establishing a dedicated RRT in Sakri. Strengthen rapid-response teams with trained personnel, cage traps, tranquilization equipment, and vehicles; deploy camera traps and targeted CCTV in hotspot villages as temporary surveillance.
• AI-Driven Monitoring: Utilizing thermal drones and AI-enabled cameras to track leopard movement near schools and residential clusters.
• These mitigation measures are also recommended by earlier researchers (Naha et al. 2018). 

Discussion:

In Sakri Tal and broader Dhule, human–leopard conflict is symptomatic of a landscape in transition. When natural landscape are split up into smaller, more isolated areas as a result of human activities like infrastructure development, agricultural expansions, or urbanization, leads to habitat fragmentation. In such cases, organisms are less able to obtain vital resources like food, water, and mates (Chauhan and Goyal 2000). S.Sidhuet al., (2017) shows that the attacks on people occurred mostlyon young children who were unsupervised, and during lateevenings. Guidelines for human-leopard conflict managementby Ministry of Environment and Forests (2011) note that suchsituation-based attacks on people may result from accidentalencounters that are avoidable by employing solutions that donot attract leopards in the vicinity of human-settlements, suchas providing garbage disposal, sanitation, improving livestockcorralling, as well as by advising people to accompany childrenand carry lights when going out in the evenings so that chanceencounters can be avoided.

Leopards’ ecological adaptability allows them to persist near humans (Hunter & Price, 1992; Gandiwa, 2013), but persistence comes with escalating incidents when structural drivers (fragmentation, water scarcity, prey shifts) are ignored. Media-documented rescues and captures (e.g., the pot-entrapment rescue and capture of problem individuals) show reactive management is underway, yet long-term coexistence requires proactive habitat and community-level solutions. Integrated approaches that combine habitat restoration, community engagement, livestock protection, and stronger rapid-response will reduce both human risk and pressure on leopards.

Conclusion:

The human-leopard conflict in Sakri is a symptom of a larger ecological imbalance.Habitat degradation has forced the leopard to become a ‘village resident’ rather than a ‘forest ghost’.The pattern of recent leopard incidents in and around Sakri Tal underscores the urgent need to address habitat degradation, water scarcity, and landscape fragmentation. Practical, locally tailored interventions, focused on restoring connectivity, protecting livestock, improving water infrastructure, and equipping forest teams can reduce conflict and promote coexistence. Given the cultural and ecological importance of large carnivores and the livelihoods of rural communities, balanced, science-informed policy that centers both human safety and leopard conservation is essential.

References:

1. Baral K, Adhikari B, Bhandari S, Kunwar RM, Sharma HP, Aryal A, Ji W. (2023). Impact of climate change on distribution of common leopard (Pantherapardus) and its implication on conservation and conflict in Nepal. Heliyon 9(1):e12807 DOI 0.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12807.
2. Bhandari S, Baral K, Adhikari B. (2022). Leopard preyed on Jungle cat: evidence from themid-hill of Nepal. European Journal of Ecology 8(1):1-5DOI 0.17161/eurojecol.v8i1.15220.
3. Can OE, Yadav BP, Johnson PJ, Ross J, D’Cruze N, Macdonald DW. (2020). Factorsaffecting the occurrence and activity of clouded leopards, common leopardsand leopard cats in the Himalayas. Biodiversity and Conservation. 29(3):839-851.DOI 10.1007/s10531-019-01912-7.
4. Chauhan, D. S., Agrawal, M. K., &Goyal, S. P. (2000). A study on the distribution, relative abundance and food habits of leopard (Pantherapardus) in Garhwal Himalayas(Technical Report, December 1999 – July 2000). Wildlife Institute of India.
5. Hayward, M. W., Henschel, P., O. Brien, J., Hofmeyr, M., Balme, G. and Kerley, G. I. H., (2006). Prey preferences of the leopard (Pantherapardus). J. Zool., 270: 298–313.
6. Hunter, M. D., & Price, P. W. (1992). Playing chutes and ladders: Heterogeneity and therelative roles of bottom-up and top-down forces in natural communities. Ecology, 73(3),723–732.
7. Loksatta and regional Marathi outlets documenting later sightings, injuries to people (e.g., motorcycle-related injury incidents), and local responses (camera-traps, cages) in Sakritaluka.
8. Naha, D., Sathyakumar, S., Rawat, G.S., (2018). Understanding drivers of human-leopard conflicts in the Indian Himalayan region: Spatio-temporal patterns of conflicts and perception of local communities towards conserving large carnivores. PLOS ONE 13(10): e0204528. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204528.
9. S. Sidhu, G. Raghunathan, D. Mudappa, and T. R. S. Raman, (2017). “Confict to coexistence: human–leopard interactions in a plantation landscape in Anamalai Hills, India,” Conservationand Society, vol. 15, pp. 474–482.

V. L. Pawara¹, Y. H. Wasu², S. S. Bhande²

¹Department of Zoology, VVM s S. G. Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College Sakri-424304, India

   ²Department of Zoology, PSGVP Mandals SIP Arts, GBP Science and STKV Sangh Commerce College Shahada-425409, India

Corresponding Author E-mail- bhande.satish@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

            This study highlights the significant biopesticidal potential of Alstonia scholaris against Sitophilus granarius, a major pest of stored wheat. The findings suggest that both crushed fresh leaves and bark of A. scholaris can effectively control pest populations, with mortality rates of 75.66% and 70.66% respectively within 96 hours. The dose and duration-dependent effects indicate the potential for A. scholaris-based bioinsecticides as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in grain storage management. Further research on formulation and field application could enhance its practical use in pest control.

KEYWORDS: Alstonia scholaris, Biopesticide, Bioinsecticides, Sitophilus granarius, Stored grain.

INTRODUCTION

            Stored grains are highly susceptible to damage from insect pests, with Sitophilus granarius, commonly known as the wheat weevil, being one of the most destructive pests. This weevil, a member of the family Curculionidae and the order Coleoptera, feeds on a variety of grains, including wheat, corn, rice and many cereals (Padín et. al., 2002; USDA, 2016; Vijay and Bhuvaneswari, 2018; Charles Kasozi et. al., 2018). Its impact on stored grains results in significant economic losses, highlighting the need for effective pest control methods. In general, stored products of agricultural and animal origin are attacked by more than 600 species of Coleopterans, 70 species of Lepidopterans and about 355 species of mites (Tyagi et. al., 2019). Among various storage insect pests Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella), maize/ rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), rust-red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), legume weevil (Callosobruchus sp.) etc. are most detrimental (Gc, 2006). They are causing both quantitative and qualitative losses (Rajendran and Sriranjini 2008).

            While various pest control methods exist, biopesticides offer a promising alternative due to their environmentally friendly nature. Biopesticides are derived from naturally occurring substances such as living organisms (natural enemies), microbial products, phytochemicals, or their by-products (semiochemicals), which can control pests through nontoxic mechanisms (Salma and Jogen, 2011). One of the key advantages of biopesticides is their minimal impact on the environment, human health, and the quality of stored grains.

            Numerous plant-derived biopesticides, often botanicals, have shown potential in controlling agricultural and stored grain pests. Plants with medicinal properties, such as neem (Azadirachta indica), bach (Acorus calamus), phoolakri (Lantana camara), draik (Melia azadarach), kali mirch (Piper nigrum), and basuti (Adhatoda zeylanica), have been reported to exhibit effective biopesticidal effects. These plants not only help control insect pests without harming the grains or seeds but also contribute to the ecosystem’s overall health (Lal, et. al., 2017). Incorporating plants with biopesticidal properties into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies could be an effective approach to managing stored grain pests. By combining the use of biopesticides with other pest control methods, the reliance on chemical pesticides can be reduced, leading to sustainable and eco-friendly pest management practices.

            In this study, the biopesticidal effects of Alstonia scholaris (Devil’s Tree) on Sitophilus granarius are explored. Alstonia scholaris, a member of the Apocynaceae family, is widely distributed across the dried forests of India, particularly in the Western Himalayas, Western Ghats, and the Southern region (Naik, 1998). Known for its rich array of active compounds, A. scholaris has been utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The plant’s phytochemical constituents comprise nearly 400 compounds, contributing to its medicinal versatility. It is commonly used as an anti-irritation agent (Goyal and Shinde, 2019; Sharma, et. al., 2016).

                The organic extracts and essential oils of A. scholaris showed strong antioxidant and cytotoxic properties (Siddiqui, et. al., 2015). Larvicidal activity of Alstonia scholaris leaf extract in different solvents against Ae. Albopictus showed 35% mortality in hexane extract at the highest concentration (Yadav, et. al., 2013). Alstonia scholaris leaves column fractions proved to be highly toxic against stored product pests, Rhyzopertha dominica, and mosquito larvae (Kallur and Patil, 2019). The effect of polar and non-polar extract of leaves and stem barks of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. (Apocynaceae) was evaluated for its repellent activity against T. castaneum. The repellence increased with increasing concentration of the extracts (Pawar, et. al., 2013).

            In this present study, both the leaves and bark of Alstonia scholaris were tested for their biopesticidal effects on Sitophilus granarius, a pest that significantly affects wheat grains.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

• Preparation of leaves and bark tablet
• Collection: Fresh leaves and bark of Alstonia scholaris were collected from the plant.
• Cleaning: The leaves and bark were washed thoroughly under tap water to remove any dirt or impurities.
• Tablet Formation:

      An electronic mixer grinds the washed leaves and bark into a fine consistency. Tablets were made by mixing crushed leaves and bark with wheat flour. First, wheat flour was taken, and its pulp was soaked. Then, freshly crushed leaves and bark were measured in given quantities, mixed with wheat flour, and made into tablets or pellets by hand.

•  Dose Regimens:

        The tablets were prepared in three different dosages: 0.5 gm, 1 gm, and 1.5 gm of crushed fresh leaves and bark.    

        Fig- Alstonia scholaris– Leaves                     Fig- Alstonia scholaris– Bark

      Fig- Crushed fresh leaves and bark                  Fig- Leaves and Bark Tablets

 

Experimental Setup:

Insect Collection and Identification:

• Sitophilus granarius pests were collected from local grocery shops.
• The pests were identified using the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) user guide.

Fig- Sitophilus granarius- Identify a given insect under the compound microscope.

•  Rearing Conditions:
• The pests were reared in a plastic box with muslin cloth tightly secured with rubber to allow aeration.
• Laboratory conditions were maintained at a room temperature of 27 ± 2°C, with a 14:10 hours light: dark photoperiod.
• Relative humidity was maintained at 65 ± 5%.
• Experimental Groups: The pests were divided into four groups, each containing 100 insects and 100 gm of wheat grains:

Group I: Exposed to tablets containing 0.5 gm of crushed Alstonia scholaris leaves and bark.

Group II: Exposed to tablets containing 1 gm of crushed Alstonia scholaris leaves and bark.

Group III: Exposed to tablets containing 1.5 gm of crushed Alstonia scholaris leaves and bark.

Group IV (Control): Exposed to wheat flour (vehicle control).

• Exposure Duration:

           The exposure was carried out for four different time intervals: 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours.

Experiment No. 1 – Effect of Crushed Fresh Leaves Tablet on Sitophilus granarius Mortality                                   Over Different Exposure Durations 24, 48, 72, and 96 Hours

Experiment No.2 – Effect of Crushed Fresh Bark Tablet on Sitophilus granarius Mortality               Over Different Exposure Durations: 24, 48, 72, and 96 Hours

Mortality Calculation:

            The mean percent mortality was calculated using Abbott’s formula, which is commonly used to adjust for control mortality in bioassays.

• Purpose of Study:

            The purpose of this study seems to be to evaluate the insecticidal or repellent effects of Alstonia scholaris crushed fresh leaves and bark tablets on Sitophilus granarius, a common pest of stored grains and to observe its efficacy at different concentrations (0.5 gm, 1 gm, and 1.5 gm) over time (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours).

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

            The present study was undertaken to test the biopesticidal effect of crushed leaves and bark of Alstonia scholaris on Sitophilus granarius. Further research on formulation and field application could enhance its practical use in pest control.

            When exposed to crushed fresh leaves in tablet form, Experiment No. 1 shows that the mortality rate increases with the concentration of the crushed fresh leaves, with Group III showing the highest mortality, 75.66%, at 96 hours, compared to the control group, which showed 0% mortality.

Mortality of Sitophilus granarius at 96 Hours of Exposure to Crushed Fresh Leaves Tablets

• Group I: 52.33% mortality
• Group II: 61.66% mortality
• Group III: 75.66% mortality
• Control Group: 0% mortality

This indicates the highest percent mortality of Sitophilus granarius in all three treatment groups at 96 hrs compared to the control group. This data shows a clear trend where increasing the concentration of crushed fresh leaves in tablet form leads to a higher mortality rate of Sitophilus granarius. (Table 1., Graph 1).  Similarly, effects were recorded previously using leaves of Alstonia scholaris against Sitophilus oryzae (Pawara, et, al., 2024) and also effects of leaves from different plants such as Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) (Ogendo, et. al., 2003; Dua, et. al., 2010), Azadiracta indica (Bina, et. al., 2004), Annona squamosa (L.), Moringa oleifera (Lam.), Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) and datura (Nenaah, et. al., 2011) against a serious pest such as Tribolium castaneum, Trogoderma granarium and Rhyzopertha dominica, Trogoderma granarium and Sitophilus oryzae.

            When exposed to crushed fresh bark in tablet form, Experiment No.2 shows that the mortality rate of Sitophilus granarius increases with the concentration of bark tablet. Group III, with the highest concentration, resulted in 70.66% mortality after 96 hours, compared to 0% in the control group.

 Mortality of Sitophilus granarius at 96 Hours of Exposure to Bark Tablets

• Group I: 48.33% mortality
• Group II: 55.33% mortality
• Group III: 70.66% mortality
• Control Group: 0% mortality

            This is observed that the percent mortality increased with the increase in the concentration of crushed fresh bark in the tablet (Table 2, Graph 2). A similar result bark of Moringa oleifera was reported to be effective against T. castaneum and Scirpophaga incertulus (Ajayi 2007, Deka et al 2006). Hence, crushed fresh bark has been reported to be effective against Sitophilus oryzae (Pawara, et. al., 2024). Thus, it is clear that the biopesticidal effect of crushed leaves as well as bark tablets was increased with the period of drug exposure and also with the concentration of the drug.

Table 1: Biopesticidal effect of leaves tablet of Alstonia scholaris on Sitophilus granarius.

Group	Treatment (gm/100 gm grains)	*Mean % mortality
		24 hrs.	48 hrs.	72 hrs.	96 hrs.
I	0.5	25.33	31.33	38.33	52.33
II	1	29.66	41.66	49.66	61.66
III	1.5	40.66	51.33	57.33	75.66
IV (Control)	Tablet of wheat flour	00.00	00.00	00.00	00.00

Graph 1: Graph for Determination of the biopesticidal effect of leaves tablet of Alstonia scholaris on Sitophilus granarius.

Table 2: Biopesticidal effect of bark tablet of Alstonia scholaris on Sitophilus granarius.

Group	Treatment (gm/100 gm grains)	*Mean % mortality
		24 hrs.	48 hrs.	72 hrs.	96 hrs.
I	0.5	21.33	28.33	37.33	48.33
II	1	27.33	33.33	49.66	55.33
III	1.5	33.66	52.66	61.66	70.66
IV (Control)	Tablet of wheat flour	00.00	00.00	00.00	00.00

Graph 2: Graph for Determination of the biopesticidal effect of bark tablet of Alstonia scholaris          on Sitophilus granarius.

CONCLUSION

            The crushed fresh leaves and bark tablets of Alstonia scholaris exhibit a significant biopesticidal effect against the stored grain pest Sitophilus granarius. at 96 hours, the crushed fresh leaves tablets resulted in 75.66% pest mortality, while the crushed fresh bark tablets showed 70.66% mortality. This study suggests that the biopesticidal effect is dose and duration-dependent. The formulation will be further explored for its potential as an effective natural pesticide against stored product pests.   

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