BENGALURU: With another case of a leopard sighted wandering in residential areas in Bengaluru, this time in Electronic City, officials from Karnataka forest department have suggested their involvement in permitting projects related to infrastructure, commercial and residential development.
"The fragmentation of forests and colonies coming close to forest areas is leading to a rise in conflicts. It will hence be better if the forest department is also a part of the list of departments clearing projects. A policy decision on this is required," a senior forest department official told The New Indian Express, seeking anonymity.
The official added that if the forest department is involved, they will be able to suggest precautions that are needed and buffer zones that need to be maintained in areas which are close to forest patches when construction activities are being taken up.
In November 2023, the forest department officials shot at a leopard after trying to capture it for four nights and five days in AECS layout.
In February 2023, the residents of RR Nagar had raised an alarm of sighting a leopard.
In September this year, people in Jigani had also raised an alarm of sighting a leopard along with a case near Anekal.
There are also repeated concerns raised of leopards being sighted along NICE Road.
There are 25 forest blocks in Bengaluru and all of them are under tremendous pressure. The corridors connecting the forest patches has been broken.
Also forests like BM Kaval and Turahalli have been divided into three because of urbanisation.
Roads and rail projects are also cutting through forest patches, leaving no space for wild animals to move, leading to a rise in conflict.
Now Outer Ring Road is planned through Jarakabande Kaval and highway is planned through Bannerghatta National Park, the official said.
He added, “we cannot keep capturing all the animals and shifting them to rescue centres or shooting them down. Buffer zones must be maintained and habitats have to be protected. Another major problem is the government 's decision to convert portions of reserve forests or deemed forests into tree parks.”
Experts working with the department pointed out that city corporations and panchayats also play a crucial role in mitigating conflict.
“They must ensure that garbage, especially non- vegetarian and other food waste is properly disposed of and not littered around. People should understand that locations which attract a lot of street dogs in peri- urban areas could also attract leopards. As Bengaluru is growing proper all round planning is required,” the expert added.
Hunt for the elusive wild leopard continued on Wednesday by the Karnataka forest department officials in Electronic City. The department has deployed a team of nine people, six of which are members of the Leopard Task Force.
"Five camera traps have also been set up. We have also kept a cage to capture the leopard. There is no panic among locals as our teams are present on ground constantly patrolling the area. The CCTV footages procured from the toll plaza have been verified and it is confirmed that it is a leopard. Since the sighting was recorded at 3am, it is possible that the leopard has gone back to the forest," the forest officials said.
The staffers have told the people not to panic and roam outside in dimly lit areas. They have been advised to go out in groups, keep children indoors at night and stay alert.
Incase of any sighting or concerns they can dial 1926- the forest department control room number or the Leopard Task Force Number- 9481990526
