Reported sightings of a leopardess with cubs in the Mussoorie area in recent times have not yet been substantiated with evidence by the department though a male leopard was photographed by a camera trap. Apart from maintaining vigilance especially in areas from where the sightings were reported, the forest department has been communicating with the civic authorities for ensuring proper garbage disposal and public lighting. The department has also elicited focus on the stray dog population and special monitoring of garbage dumps visited by the dogs for food which in turn attracts the big cat looking to prey on the dog.
It should be mentioned here that especially since the start of November month, locals have reported at times a leopard with two cubs and at other times a lone leopard at varied spots in Mussoorie mainly in the Camel’s Back road area. Talking to The Pioneer, the Mussoorie divisional forest officer Dr Saket Badola said that though the department had received reports of a leopardess being sighted with cubs in Mussoorie, so far the reported sightings have not been substantiated though department personnel visited the sites in question and searched for signs of leopard movement. He said, “We did capture one leopard on a camera trap but he is a male. Mussoorie is surrounded by forests so leopard sightings here would not be considered something extraordinary. However, the department is alert and for this we have been interacting with the civic authorities on aspects of leopard movement in the area. The stray dog population is a major factor as the leopards reported near human settlements are looking to prey on these dogs. Secondly, we have also stressed on the need for special monitoring of areas with garbage dump and butcheries as leopard sightings are more likely in such sites,” said Badola. In addition to this, the forest department has also been interacting directly with the public with the purpose of raising public awareness on measures to be adopted to mitigate human-wildlife conflict situations and for ensuring the safety of the public. There has been a lull in reports of the big cat with her cubs being sighted in any locality of Mussoorie town in recent days.
It is pertinent to mention here that the hoteliers of Mussoorie have already been complaining about the financial losses suffered in their business due to the demonetisation decision of the centre. Anxiety spread among the public by unsubstantiated reports and interactions which may at times be exaggerated or communicated with “additional inputs” or alleged hearsay would not improve the situation of the local residents nor would it help the hoteliers.