THE man-animal conflict in Nagpur city has been increasing day-by-day as two separate incidents of leopard sighting raised panic among citizens in the past few days. On Monday, a team of Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) rushed to Pardi after a call was received from some locals who sighted a leopard near an under construction road close to Pardi area during day time. A video also went viral in social media in which some commuters suddenly spotted the leopard under a nullah and in no time, passersby gathered at the spot.Whereas after some time, the leopard ran away from the spot.

 

The incident raised panic among nearby residents as it is the second such incident of leopard sighting after a leopard was rescued by Forest Department from a residence of Bhandewadi area few days ago. “We received a call of leopard sighting in Pardi area, but when our team reached the spot, we got no trace of any leopard in the locality,” said Kundan Hate, In-charge, TTC, Seminary Hills. “Our team conducted patrolling in the locality throughout the day and it will continue in the night time too. We have instructed nearby residents to avoid venturing along after dark to avoid any encounter with any wild animal,” said Hate.

 

Another incident of leopard sighting took place in busy locality of Shankarpur area near Chinchbhuvan where residentsare continuously spotting a leopard for the last more than a week. According to a resident, the leopard was roaming close to Khapri Punarvasan Colony where it wasspotted multiple times. The residents informed the Forest Department about the leopard, but no action has been taken sofar by the department. According to a Forest officer, a Forest team is already conducting daily patrolling in thearea, but no trace of any leopard has been identified by theteam till date. The Forest Department alsoasked residents to take precaution while roaming outside. People should avoid roamingalone after dark to avoid anyencounter.