Joint efforts on to track down the man eater leopard, while cubs and leopards captured alive

By: Musaib Iqbal MK

Srinagar

After the recent killing of a 4 year old girl by a leopard while mauling her to death, forest protection force along with wildlife department has made joint teams in the different forest areas of Budgam and Pulwama districts to track down the man eater leopard.

Local villagers living near the forest areas in the forests of Budgam district and also in the Pulwama district in the past few days have not only captured the cubs alive but also have informed the wildlife officials about the presence of leopards and they were captured alive.

First such operation was done in the Khansahib area of Budgam when the villagers informed the wildlife officials about the presence of leopard and he was captured alive.

Similarly in the Beerwah village near the forest of Budgam the villagers were able to capture alive two leopard cubs and informed the forest officials who have taken them to the Dachigam wildlife sanctuary rehabilitation centre.

Similarly on Tuesday the people informed the forest officials about the presence of a leopard in the Wuyan forest area of Pampore and he was captured alive and set free in the dense forests.

Meanwhile KNO news agency in its report about the formation of a joint team by the forest department and wildlife department has said, In a bid to track down the man-eater leopard who killed the four-year-old girl in Ompora area of Budgam, WildLife and Forest Protection Force (FPF) Monday set up a joint camp in the district to trace the wild animal.

The Forest department and the WildLife officials also issued a list of Dos and Don’t for the people of the district to prevent further attack by the animal on humans.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that in the the backdrop of the unfortunate incident of lifting of a child by a leopard in Ompora, the Principal Chief Conservator Forests Mohit Gera along with the officers of the Department of Wildlife Protection, Forest Department and Forest  Protection Force visited the vulnerable areas of Wanbal, Rangreth, Ompora, old airport, Baghi-mehtab, Dhamsana Kralpora, Yechigam Budgam, Thokerpora Budgam and Navhar charishareef to ensure that all possible  measures are taken and such incident does not reoccur.

“The PCCF also examined the efforts being made to capture the conflict leopard and initiated measures like establishment of permanent camp at Ompora and other  vulnerable spots to be jointly manned by Department of Forest, Wildlife and Forest Protection Force; intensified patrolling within a radius of 10 Km from the control rooms; deploying of Camera traps; creation of intensive awareness drives regarding Do’s and Don’ts to be strictly observed to avoid such incidents in future,” Officials said, adding that the Gera also directed the DFO Pir Panjal Division for immediate removal of fallen material and pruning & thinning of plantation as well laying of more paths.”

As per officials, Gera stated that the plantation area also needs to be suitably reinforced with suitable fencing. “The wildlife department to follow up with local municipality to intensify stray dog management and waste disposal,” the officials said that “PCCF also called for installing of lights around the perimeter of the plantation either solar lights or through PDD. He also called for installation of hoardings for carrying  message regarding steps to be followed by the public in case leopard is  sighted. There is a need also to enhance the involvement of people in preventive measures as well as agencies like Wildlife SOS, which can play a very important role in preventing such ugly incidents.”

In the meanwhile, the Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Rashid Naqash informed that one Leopard has been rescued from Khudpora, Khansahib Budgam about 15 Km away from the site of the incident, which is a different territory.

The Do’s and Don’ts issued by the Forest and WildLife Department read: “Do not move alone especially during early and late hours, children and woman should  be more careful, hence they must move in groups.”

“Avoid going to nearby forest area in early morning or evening hours, which is the peak activity time for Leopards.  Do not chase or try to go near to Leopard if sighted from a distance.

Livestock, poultry and pets should be attended by three to four persons. Any type of  bell or sound producing device be put around the neck of cattle. They should also be  kept in safe sheds before the onset of Dusk,” the advisory reads. “Avoid using of bush growths and forested areas for nature call in late evening or night hours, this time coincides with peak activity of Leopard.

Provide sufficient light around your utilities and outside your home.  Do not dump kitchen waste around your houses as this invites stray dogs to the spot which in turn invite leopard movement.”

The advisory further reads that the inhabitants of the area should regularly remove all bushes or shrubs from the vicinity of their houses. Clearance of the vegetation will increase the visibility and help to keep the Leopard away. “The cattle shed in the houses should be constructed safe enough, using wooden material or concrete structure, also pet dogs kept in the houses can also alarm the presence of predator in the vicinity of their houses,” the advisory reads, further, adding that “It has been observed that whenever leopard is sighted, people make a lot of noise which can prove dangerous. As such the wild animal feels insecure and may attack. In case any Leopard is seen, Forest Department, Wildlife Protection Department, Forest Protection Force may be informed immediately on the given numbers.”

With inputs from KNO