There is fear of leopard in many villages in Atrauli police station area of Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh. Here, leopard pug marks have been found in the potato fields and in the areas around the population. It is being claimed that the leopard has been roaming in this area for three days and is searching for prey. On receiving the information, the forest department team that reached the area for combing has cautioned the people to remain in groups and not to go out after dusk. According to the villagers, this leopard is roaming in the lower areas of the river.
Till now the villagers have seen only the pugmarks of this leopard. According to Forest Department officials, it is not yet clear whether these pug marks belong to the leopard. At present, the departmental team has started examining the pugmark samples. Along with this, the villagers have been advised to remain alert and go out in groups. On the other hand, there is anger among the villagers as no trace of the leopard has been found even after three days. According to the villagers, a tiger had come to this area four years ago. This tiger kept roaming around the populated area for a week and returned back to the forest.
Pugmarks visible since three days
Now there is a threat of leopard due to this. According to the villagers, pugmarks of leopard were seen in the area near the river bank three days ago. The next day these pug marks were also found in the populated areas. Seeing this, panic spread among the people and the matter was informed to the forest department officials. It would not be appropriate for Forest Department officials to clearly say that these pugmarks are those of leopards.
Leopard constantly changing location
Forest Officer Archana Rawat in Atrauli police station area of Hardoi said that a team led by Ranger CK Pandey and Deputy Ranger Brijesh Singh is searching in villages like Mahuadanda, Hajipur, Kolhora, Kuda etc. So far investigation has revealed that this wild animal is constantly changing its location. In such a situation, the forest department team is continuously chasing him. On the other hand, due to fear, people have started avoiding even going to gardens and fields.