Forest dept to resume search for leopard in G Noida society on Thursday

Forest department officials confirmed that they spotted the leopard in the basement of the under-construction buildings at the society

The Noida forest department suspended its search for the leopard at Ajnara Le Garden in Greater Noida after making no progress in catching the animal on Wednesday. The search and rescue operations, which were launched more than 48 hours ago, will resume on Thursday morning.

Noida forest officials have four trap cages and two have been set up for the night and other basement entrances have also been blocked. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Forest department officials confirmed that they spotted the leopard in the basement of the under-construction buildings at the society. “On Tuesday night, out team came face to face with the leopard. However, we could not trace it on Wednesday,” said P K Srivastava, divisional forest officer, Gautam Budh Nagar.

Throughout Wednesday, seven teams, including four teams from Gautam Budh Nagar as well as three others from Agra, Meerut and Ghaziabad, intensified their search operation focusing on the basement, where the leopard was last spotted and has seemingly not yet left.

There are seven exits from the basement that have all been blocked, according to officials. While officials have four trap cages, two have been set up for the night and other basement entrances have also been blocked, said Srivastava.

“The team from Agra is still with us while the teams from Meerut and Ghaziabad are returning now. We have set up trap cages around the basement entrance and officials will stay guard through the night,” he added.

Ajnara Le Garden society has 17 towers, 11 of which are inhabited by 1,500 families. The remaining towers are under construction and have been cordoned off by barricading material.

Residents said most of the under-construction area has open space where the leopard has been spotted, while common areas in the society have been shut or made inaccessible.

“We are not getting home deliveries or allowing outsiders inside from the main gate due to safety concerns. The podium gates, garden and other common areas have also been closed and we are stepping out only for essentials. Everyone is scared and we are really hoping that the teams find the leopard soon,” said Amit Rokana, a resident of the society.

Another resident said the area where the leopard was spotted is not completely inaccessible. “The construction area is barricaded but is very accessible. This makes it dangerous as the animal can always jump over,” he said.