Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur.
In a series of unfortunate events on Thursday, leopards wreaked havoc in the Srinagar area of Uttarakhand, attacking five women at different locations. The incidents have raised concerns and shed light on the increasing encounters between leopards and humans in populated areas.
The day started with Meghna (28) and Sumitra Devi (31) of Naithana village falling victim to a leopard while returning from the forest with grass and wood. Shortly after, Sampatti Devi (60) was attacked half a kilometer away while packing grass with other women. The same leopard struck again in Dang village, targeting Sanyasini Basant Giri (90). Late evening brought another attack on Prakashi Devi (60) near Rampur in Kirtinagar.
These incidents beg the question: why are leopards increasingly entering populated areas in Uttarakhand, posing a threat to human lives and livestock?
Uttarakhand, with its rich biodiversity, is home to over 3000 wild leopards. However, the exact number is challenging to determine due to the elusive nature of these creatures and the lack of a comprehensive census.
According to environmentalists, the rising conflict can be attributed to various factors, including habitat loss and fragmentation. As human settlements expand into previously undisturbed areas, leopards find their natural habitats shrinking, pushing them to venture into villages and towns in search of food and shelter.
“Deforestation and encroachment into leopard territories are major contributors to these incidents. As their habitats diminish, leopards are forced to navigate through human-populated areas, leading to an inevitable clash,” says environmentalist Dr. SArpreet Thind.
Environmentalists emphasize the importance of coexistence and the implementation of sustainable conservation practices. “We need to create awareness among the local communities about the importance of preserving natural habitats and adopting measures to prevent human-leopard conflicts,” suggests wildlife conservationist Pran Chadha.
To address the immediate concerns in affected areas, authorities must collaborate with wildlife experts to safely capture and relocate leopards that pose a threat to human safety. Simultaneously, long-term strategies should focus on habitat restoration and community engagement to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and the estimated over three thousand wild leopards in Uttarakhand.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the Forest Department, wishing to remain anonymous, said, “I emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to mitigate the increasing conflicts between leopards and human populations in Uttarakhand. To address this issue effectively, we recommend a combination of immediate and long-term measures”.
“In the short term, our priority is to collaborate with wildlife experts to identify and safely relocate leopards that pose an immediate threat to human safety. Simultaneously, heightened awareness campaigns within local communities are crucial to educating residents about living in harmony with wildlife and adopting precautionary measures”, he added
“In the long term, it is imperative to focus on habitat restoration and preservation. This involves stringent measures against deforestation and encroachment into leopard territories. Additionally, community engagement programs should be established to foster a sense of responsibility and coexistence among residents”, the official further added.
