Over 200 staffers monitoring 20 big cats near Bhopal jungles
   Date :17-May-2019

 
Staff Reporter:
 
While tigers and leopard are continuously being stray out in residential areas from Shahpura to Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), forest circle offices are demanding more field staff. There are about 20 big cats active around Bhopal jungles. To monitor these predators there is about 200 field staff deployed on several beats 24X7. Even cameras are placed at several points to check the entry and exit of animals. Monitoring of all these cameras and file patrolling is being conducted from control room every day. After all these arrangements, leopard and tigers are entering to the residential areas and forest guards are completely unaware of the incidents.
 
In recent two cases, leopard entered to the residential area and went back after killing their prey. Patrolling team and forest guards came to know about the incident after general public informed about the camera recording or pug marks. Two months back, leopard visited the posh colony of Shahpura Colony for three to four days continuously. Forest team was informed about the incident after residents of the areas presented their camera recording. They also followed the pug mark of leopard and proved the incident. Last month, leopard entered to the periphery of IGRMS and also killed his prey but none of forest officials came to know about the incedent before residents informed them.
 
A K Jhawar, Forest Ranger in Samardha forest under Bhopal Forest Circle, said, “We monitor the big cats movement in several beats but sometime they change their location frequently. In many cases, tiger stray out in unexpected areas where there is no camera and no field guards.” Besides, villages in Kaliyasot, Kerwa, Mendora, IIFM, etc nearby locations are continuously recording the movement of tiger and leopards. Even tourists and college youth are visiting the area to record photographs and videos of the big cat in their camera. Several cases have been reported when there was close encounter of human being with tiger or leopard on these locations. But forest officials say that they are completely unaware of the incidents. Wildlife experts said that the Forest Department should be aware of each movement of big cats in residential areas. Several cases have been held in which tiger or leopard visited the residential area and went back without any observance.
 
Visitors thronging IGRMS despite caution board
 
After recent spotting of leopard at IGRMS, the Forest Department placed cameras and started regular patrolling on the locations. Forest Department has also placed cautious board on several spots to inform people about the movement of leopard. Through the pamphlets and board, visitors have been warned to avoid there entry in the area but it seems to be fall on deaf ears. Everyday large number of visitors are sitting and walking in the areas without any concern even after displaying the cautious board. Although leopard went back from the area after killing a jackal but forest team is continuously monitoring the location.