BALLARI: The Forest Department has begun an operation to drive away the leopards which were sighted at Kaddi Rampura near Hampi. A pair of leopards has been sighted on a rocky hillock.
Forest officials said though the sightings are not uncommon and there have been no incidents of humans being attacked by them in the region, the Department has undertaken the operation following a demand from nearby villagers.
Deputy Conservator of Forests of Ballari Division, Takhat Singh Ranawat, told Express that more than 20 staff have been deployed to drive the leopards back to the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, from which the big cats have been suspected to have come from in search of food and water.
The DCF said crackers have been burst to scare them away. Cages have also been placed to catch the big cats. However, he said, curious villagers are flocking the area posing potential danger to them. ENS