Leopard caught on CCTV outside house in Devrukh's Sadavali; residents demand cage
A leopard was filmed walking freely in front of a house in Sadavali-Sahyadri Nagar in Devrukh, and residents want the Forest Department to act.
Leopard trouble has grown in some districts of the Konkan. With leopards being seen repeatedly in residential areas, people are living in fear. A leopard has now been sighted again in the Sadavali-Sahyadri Nagar area of Devrukh in Ratnagiri district, spreading fear among residents.
Early on Saturday, 10 October, a leopard was seen walking in front of the house of local resident Bhai Shinde. A CCTV camera installed outside the house recorded the whole episode. The footage shows the leopard moving freely near human habitation, which has heightened concern among residents nearby.
Locals say leopard movement has increased in Devrukh town and nearby rural areas over the past few days. The animals come towards settlements in search of food at night and in the early hours, raising questions about people's safety. Villagers are particularly worried about children, senior citizens, and pets and other animals tied up outside homes. People also have to be careful when stepping out at night.
Because the leopard is roaming freely in Sadavali-Sahyadri Nagar, residents have demanded that the Forest Department take immediate notice. Villagers of Sadavali and the Devrukh area have said that necessary measures should be taken to monitor the leopard's movements and, if required, a cage should be set up in the area to deal with it safely. The demand is growing louder because the footage clearly shows the leopard has come close to habitation once again.
Records of sightings of the black panther, a black leopard considered rare, have also increased in the Sahyadri ranges and the Konkan. Experts say that rising deforestation, the expansion of human settlements and the search for food and water are driving these wild animals from the forests towards habitation. Deforestation and human interference are pushing wild animals towards settlements in search of food. It has also emerged that they hunt pet dogs at night.
The Forest Department has appealed to people not to panic and to avoid going out alone at night. It has asked them to keep pets safe and to contact the Forest Department immediately if they see a leopard or any other wild animal.
