Tragic Leopard Attack Claims Toddler's Life in Pauri Village
A devastating incident unfolded in Barswar village of Pauri district on Saturday evening when a one-and-a-half-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard. This tragic event marks the second big cat-related fatality in the district within just two weeks and represents the sixth such death reported across Uttarakhand in January alone.
Details of the Heartbreaking Incident
The victim, identified as Yashika Kumari, had stepped out of her house after her mother when the feline predator pounced upon her. The leopard dragged the toddler into the nearby forest, prompting immediate concern and action from local residents. After several hours of intensive search operations conducted by both villagers and forest officials, the child's body was recovered from the forest area.
Villagers expressed profound outrage and grief over the incident, with many demanding that authorities take immediate action to eliminate the dangerous predator from their vicinity. The emotional toll on the community was palpable as residents gathered to mourn the tragic loss of young life.
Compensation Refused and Official Response
In a significant development, the victim's family refused to accept the Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia compensation offered by authorities as of Sunday afternoon. This refusal underscores the depth of their grief and dissatisfaction with the current measures in place to address human-wildlife conflicts.
Deepak Bhandari, former block pramukh of Jaharikhal, highlighted the growing concern among villagers, stating, "Villagers are deeply upset and frightened. Just a month ago, a tiger mauled a woman to death at a village located approximately an hour from here. These repeated incidents have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity."
Forest Department Investigation and Measures
Lansdowne divisional forest officer Jeevan Dagade visited the grieving family on Saturday night to assess the situation firsthand. He provided crucial context about the geographical setting, explaining, "The village is situated approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve and is surrounded by dense forests on multiple sides. The victim's house, being the last dwelling in the village, is bordered by forests on three sides, making it particularly vulnerable to wildlife encounters."
Forest officials confirmed that claw marks found on the child's body strongly indicate a leopard attack. Dagade elaborated on the investigative measures, stating, "Samples are being sent to the laboratory for definitive confirmation. Authorities have approved trapping operations for the feline, and we have deployed fifteen camera traps, two cages, and a special operations team to scan the area and track the big cat's movements."
Broader Security Measures and Police Response
In response to the escalating human-wildlife conflict, Kumaon range inspector general of police Riddhim Agarwal has issued specific instructions to all range in-charges. The directive focuses on identifying villages that are particularly prone to such conflicts and strengthening communication channels with local communities to prevent further tragic incidents.
The police initiative aims to create a more proactive approach to wildlife management and community safety, recognizing the urgent need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement, forest authorities, and village residents.
Separate Poaching Incident Uncovered
In a related development that underscores the complex challenges of wildlife conservation, four poachers were apprehended with a leopard hide on Saturday night. The suspects, all belonging to the same family, were intercepted by police in Kotdwar while attempting to show the skin to potential buyers. This arrest followed a specific tip-off received by authorities, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in the region.
The simultaneous occurrence of these two incidents—the tragic leopard attack and the poaching arrest—paints a complex picture of the challenges facing wildlife conservation and human safety in Uttarakhand's forested regions.
