Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In yet another tragic incident, a male leopard cub was fatally struck by an unknown vehicle on the Kasrawad-Khalghat road near Panwa village late Wednesday night.
According to information, around 9 pm on Wednesday, villagers discovered the lifeless body of the leopard and immediately alerted the forest department. Responding promptly, officials, including district forest officer (DFO) Rakesh Rathore, shifted the body to Kasrawad.
The Thursday morning, veterinary officer Dr Verma conducted a post-mortem, after which the leopard was cremated at the forest department depot on Pipalgaon Road. Local officials, including nagar panchayat CMO Kamlesh Gole, naib tehsildar, forest ranger Sachin Shohade and Patwari Namdev witnessed the cremation.
In the latest incident, milk traces were found in the deceased leopard’s mouth, suggesting the potential presence of its mother nearby. This has heightened fears and speculation among locals.
FOREST DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS AND CHALLENGES
The forest department is continuing its search for the remaining leopards, employing traps and surveillance. However, criticism has mounted over their reactive approach. “We have initiated an FIR against the unidentified vehicle responsible,” said DFO Rakesh Rathore. However, Kasrawad police station TI Mansaram Romede stated, “We haven’t received any official complaint about the incident yet.”
LINGERING FEAR AMONG VILLAGERS
Despite the leopard’s death, fear lingers among the villagers of Kasrawad, as reports suggest the presence of another adult male leopard and a cub in the area. Villagers claim that leopards frequently venture into the Narmada region, yet no major human-wildlife conflict has occurred. However, the incident underscores the need for proactive measures by the forest department to ensure public safety and the conservation of wildlife. “It’s sowing season, and farmers often spend nights in their fields,” a villager expressed. “The forest department only takes action when a major incident occurs. Their negligence could lead to more tragedies.”
History of leopard encounters
The area has a long history of leopard sightings and incidents: 4 Years Ago: A female leopard captured near Bothu village was released in Chandgarh Forest. Subsequent Events: One of her cubs died of starvation, while another escaped. 7 Cubs Lost: Over the years, approximately seven leopard cubs have perished in the area due to various reasons.
WAY FORWARD
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for better wildlife management, including: ·
Speed control measures and wildlife crossing signs on roads near forested areas. ·
Increased patrolling by forest officials. ·
Proactive communication with villagers to ensure safety and awareness.
