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Srinagar outskirts on edge, fear grips after reports of Leopard sightings
The fears seem to have been doused in North Kashmir’s Nichama area of Handwara after the wildlife authorities said that they have neutralized the man-eater—leopard on Tuesday evening.
However, a fresh wave of fear has emerged among the people after the sighting of a leopard in Srinagar’s outskirts- Maloora, Shaletang and Lawaypora have been reported.
Leopard killed after attacking locals
The leopard killed by the wildlife authorities in north Kashmir was on the prowl and believed to have killed two children in the area in a span of two months which had created fear among the locals, with children even fearing to go to the schools.
“There is a sigh of relief among the people in the area with the killing of this man-eater animal. The dead body of the animal is in our custody and after following all prescribed protocols, the body will be disposed of”, an official told Ground Report.
The area earlier in August witnessed the death of a 7-year-old girl and this week on Monday witnessed the death of a 4-year-old boy who was mauled and killed by the man-eater leopard.
While the killing of a man-eater leopard may have brought down anxiety and fear in Nichama village, there is a fresh shockwave of fear among the people in Srinagar’s Maloora and Shaletnag area after the locals claimed the sighting of leopard in the area.
Wildlife Warden Wetlands, Ifshan Dewan told Ground Report that soon after receiving the reports of sighting of a leopard in the Maloora and Shaeltang area they have set up two cages and camera traps.
“There is an indication that a leopard is roaming in the area. We have installed two cages and camera traps to detect the movement of the wild animal, but so far nothing has been found”, she said.
Leopard attacks rise due to encroachment
Pertinent to note that in recent years, the number of leopard attacks in Kashmir has witnessed a disturbing upward trend. As human settlements expand, it is believed that encroaching upon the natural habitats of these majestic creatures, confrontations have become inevitable forcing them to venture into human-dominated areas in search of food and shelter.
The experts have been calling for creating awareness among communities living in close proximity to leopard habitats. They say that educating people about the behaviour and ecology of leopards can help them understand the precautions necessary for minimizing encounters. They emphasize that awareness can be spread through community engagement programs, school workshops, and media campaigns.
“ Areas reporting the sighting of any wild animal, people in those areas should be careful while venturing out during early morning and late evening hours. Children should not be left alone in the lawns specially in morning and evening hours”, says Dewan.
According to the Wildlife Department, during the last decade, there has been a decline in the cases of human deaths and injuries, but they say that the appearance of wild animals in the human-dominated landscape has shown an exponential increase with respect to black bears and leopards.
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