Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)

[Sully]

Authorities giving free hand to poachers by overlooking existence of leopards

*This image is copyright of its original author

 

 

By Ashish Rajput :

 

It is not the first time that a leopard was spotted in Nayagaon but it has also been spotted in Khamaria, Dumna, Nayagaon, Madan Mahal and other adjoining areas in regular intervals 

 

 

Overlooking existence of leopard proved dear for Forest Department as it threatened life of a leopard. In fact, competent authorities already know about existence of leopards in their natural habitat but no concrete measure to protect this wild animal or conserving its territory has been taken so far. If wildlife experts are to believed there are several leopards in the district and most of them are located in and around restricted areas of Ordnance Factories and Dumna Nature Reserve.

 

It is not the first time that a leopard was spotted only in Nayagaon but it has also been spotted in Khamaria, Dumna, Nayagaon, Madan Mahal and other adjoining areas in regular intervals along with female and cubs but not a single incident of man eating or man and animal conflict has been reported. Insensitive working of district authorities has given free hand to poachers due to which the leopards are at risk and this has endangered the wildlife.

 

Divisional Forest Officer Ravindra Mani Tripathi, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ informed that old records prove that forest areas in and around the district are old territories of leopard. The department always took action in case of spotting leopard in and around residential areas but no untoward incident has been reported till date. He added that the department took serious measures into the death of leopard and separate teams have been constituted for identification of more leopards.

 

Disappointingly, even after knowing the fact of rich wildlife not a single project to protect leopards and their territories could be initiated. Instead of taking cognizance on wildlife protection, the authorities have completely overlooked mushrooming encroachments and stretching residential areas adjoining to reserved forest. There is an urgent need to identify number of leopards in the district and adjoining areas for better monitoring and protecting their territories for desired protection of wildlife and avoiding human interference. Reply