An atmosphere of fear and anger persists in parts of Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district due to repeated leopard attacks, leading to distress among residents. The situation escalated after a 62-year-old woman, Sita Khanduri, was fatally attacked in Bamthi village on April 24, marking the fifth death from leopard attacks in the area. This incident has sparked resentment among villagers, with a total of 23 wildlife attack-related deaths reported in the state this year.
In response to the growing concern, the Forest Department has intensified its measures to address the human-animal conflict. Garhwal Divisional Forest Officer Mahitam Yadav stated that surveillance has been heightened, with teams patrolling affected areas around the clock. Various strategies, including deploying cages, trap cameras, and solar-powered cameras, are being employed to monitor the leopard’s movements and location accurately.
Efforts are underway to capture the leopard promptly, with a focus on controlling the animal and resorting to elimination only as a last option. The Forest Department is working diligently to ensure the safety of residents, advising them to remain vigilant. Despite allegations from villagers regarding delayed preventive actions in the past, authorities are striving to restore a sense of security in the region by addressing the immediate threat posed by the leopard.
The recent incident is part of a broader pattern of human-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand, with similar attacks reported in other areas of the state. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced increased compensation for victims’ families and allocated funds for wildlife rescue programs and mechanisms to mitigate human-animal conflicts.
