In another instance of human wildlife conflict a four year
old was mauled by a leopard at Aarey colony. The incident took place at
Khadakpada a tribal hamlet in the early hours of 1st October, when
Hiya was accompanied with her grandmother to relieve herself. It was when her
grandmother went inside the home to get a tooth brush a leopard came out of the
bushes and caught the juvenile dragging her into the forest. No sooner than
this happened a loud call for help was made and immediately a group of
neighbours gathered for help.
A team of neighbours soon ventured into the forests with sticks, knives and stones to search the girl. After some time probably 150 meters away the leopard was spotted firmly holding the neck of the girl, soon loud noise was made to scare the leopard away which did not work. Not waiting for anything the locals started throwing stones aiming the leopard, and then the leopard decided to leave the body and vanished in the bushes. The girl was brought to the nearest hospitals where she was declared dead by the doctors. Soon the incident became viral and all possible emergency helpline numbers started ringing. I soon confirmed it with the forest department and got in touch with the concerned officers to discuss the further plan of action.
It was the orders from the superior officers to install the trap cages at the spot where the conflict took place. We then accompanied the team with the trap cages, took it to the location and placed it at the decided spot after a short survey. Well this was not the end of everything the day had just started and this was probably the first time in my knowledge when such instant actions were seen. Many efforts were made by the concerned authorities to make up for the loss of life. As per the new orders passed the amount of compensation was increased to Rs. 5lakh, and the higher officers decided to follow up with the procedures and make the amount available for the family. A senior forest officer promised that Rs.1lakh to be given to the family within a day.
From media to wildlife enthusiasts all were discussing the incident and overall issue with the concerned and the game of attack and defend had begun. But it was a very unfortunate day for the forest department irrespective of doing all possible actions immediately, soon as the sun had set there was another distress call and the facts revealed that another juvenile was attacked by the leopard. According to the latest report the boy was injured and was sent to the nearest hospital for treatment and was out of danger. The incident happened very near to the initial spot and again the news was viral.
The mail problem of Aarey colony according to a survey conducted by us initially this year revealed that the area was having poor waste management system, excessive stray population, improper toilet facilities and very poor lighting system. Other than this the tribal hamlets which belonged to the adivasi had increased as compared to the past and many parts of the forests were encroached in the names of adivasis. The promising politicians who are concerned to keep a check of the well being of their voters have failed since more than decades. The issue is getting serious every year and is a shame for us that we as a city including all, are not able to manage and sustain. The feeling of co-existence will only come from within, but it will come when all necessary things are on their right places. The infrastructural condition of the areas near to the green patches and protected forests are not capable to maintain the balance and distance between people and wildlife and thus leading to the destruction and loss of both the sides.
A team of neighbours soon ventured into the forests with sticks, knives and stones to search the girl. After some time probably 150 meters away the leopard was spotted firmly holding the neck of the girl, soon loud noise was made to scare the leopard away which did not work. Not waiting for anything the locals started throwing stones aiming the leopard, and then the leopard decided to leave the body and vanished in the bushes. The girl was brought to the nearest hospitals where she was declared dead by the doctors. Soon the incident became viral and all possible emergency helpline numbers started ringing. I soon confirmed it with the forest department and got in touch with the concerned officers to discuss the further plan of action.
It was the orders from the superior officers to install the trap cages at the spot where the conflict took place. We then accompanied the team with the trap cages, took it to the location and placed it at the decided spot after a short survey. Well this was not the end of everything the day had just started and this was probably the first time in my knowledge when such instant actions were seen. Many efforts were made by the concerned authorities to make up for the loss of life. As per the new orders passed the amount of compensation was increased to Rs. 5lakh, and the higher officers decided to follow up with the procedures and make the amount available for the family. A senior forest officer promised that Rs.1lakh to be given to the family within a day.
From media to wildlife enthusiasts all were discussing the incident and overall issue with the concerned and the game of attack and defend had begun. But it was a very unfortunate day for the forest department irrespective of doing all possible actions immediately, soon as the sun had set there was another distress call and the facts revealed that another juvenile was attacked by the leopard. According to the latest report the boy was injured and was sent to the nearest hospital for treatment and was out of danger. The incident happened very near to the initial spot and again the news was viral.
The mail problem of Aarey colony according to a survey conducted by us initially this year revealed that the area was having poor waste management system, excessive stray population, improper toilet facilities and very poor lighting system. Other than this the tribal hamlets which belonged to the adivasi had increased as compared to the past and many parts of the forests were encroached in the names of adivasis. The promising politicians who are concerned to keep a check of the well being of their voters have failed since more than decades. The issue is getting serious every year and is a shame for us that we as a city including all, are not able to manage and sustain. The feeling of co-existence will only come from within, but it will come when all necessary things are on their right places. The infrastructural condition of the areas near to the green patches and protected forests are not capable to maintain the balance and distance between people and wildlife and thus leading to the destruction and loss of both the sides.
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