SRINAGAR: The sighting of a leopard in the Uri area of North Kashmir has caused panic among local residents who have urged the forest department to step up surveillance in the locality.
Inhabitants of Bhat Mohallah, Garkote-A, in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, said that a leopard has been frequently sighted roaming in the village for the last few days. “We have been spotting a leopard in our locality for the last three days, which has created a state of panic among all the inhabitants,” locals said.
The villagers said that the leopard is roaming freely in their area, especially in the evening hours. “There is a potential threat to the safety of locals and the livestock in the area if the beast is not caught at the earliest,” they said.
“Last night, we came late from work and we had a narrow escape as the leopard was sitting next to our house,” said Tanveer Ahmad Bhat, a local resident.
The delegation appealed to the wildlife authorities to erect a cage in the area so that the roaming beast is caught soon.
When contacted, Range Officer Wildlife Department Baramulla Altaf Koul said that he will look into the matter. “A team will be rushed to the area,” he added. (GNS)
