Gurgaon: Forest dept to create more water pits in Mangar after leopard sighting
The forest department patrolled the Mangar area after residents informed the forest department of a leopard sighting in the area on Tuesday. The six-acre area of Mangar and Bandhwari, which is close to the Asola wildlife sanctuary, is home to big cats
After pugmarks of a female leopard and two cubs were spotted in Mangar area of the Aravallis on Tuesday, the Haryana forest department is planning to create more water pits around the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary and Mangar. The forest department patrolled the area after residents informed the forest department of a leopard sighting in the area on Tuesday.
“We received reports of sighting of a female leopard around Mangar-Silkheri area. It appears that the leopard has littered and may be in search of water, along with her cubs. Therefore, it is necessary that water holes built by us are filled regularly so that wildlife does not venture out of the forest,” MD Sinha, conservator of forest, South Haryana.
The six-acre area of Mangar and Bandhwari, which is close to the Asola wildlife sanctuary, is home to big cats as it provides adequate space and food for the wildlife to flourish. Officials said that leopard sightings are not uncommon in this part of the Aravallis.
Apart from filling the pits with water, the department will also dig more pits as the Aravallis do not hold much water, which is a major problem for the survival of the wildlife in summer, he added.
Read I Leopard killed by residents after it enters Gurgaon village
However, he also warned that the animal might attack if it feels threatened, as it is protecting its cubs. The department is holding sessions with the villagers to sensitise them about co-existing with animals. The department officials have also asked the villagers to immediately inform them of any animal sighting.
Officials emphasised the need for caution after a two-and-half-year-old leopard was beaten to death by villagers of Mandawar on November 24, 2016, after it strayed into the village in Sohna, 40 kilometres off Gurgaon.
The instances of leopard sightings and man-animal conflicts in the Bhandwari and Mahendragarh ranges of south Haryana are increasing. One of the major reasons is active mining in the region, villagers said.
“The Haryana government should take steps to create a wildlife corridor. Animal sightings are common in the area but people fear attack by animals as the big cats sometimes venture into villages in search of food and water. Also, large-scale encroachment of the forest area is a reason (for the displacement of animals),” Sunil Harsana of Mangar said.
The forest department has installed two camera traps in the region to monitor wildlife.