Almora. Fear has gripped the residents of Rajpur and Dubkiya wards in Almora town after repeated sightings of a leopard over the past few days. With the ongoing Navratri and Ramleela festivities drawing large crowds at night, the leopard’s frequent appearance has raised the risk of a major mishap. Concerned over public safety, local ward members on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Almora, demanding the installation of a cage in the area along with regular night patrolling.
According to the ward members, the leopard has been spotted in crowded parts of Rajpur and Dubkiya wards for the past two consecutive nights. Locals are now avoiding stepping out after dark. Children and the elderly in particular are living in an atmosphere of fear, while daily activities have also been severely disrupted due to safety concerns.
The memorandum stated that Dubkiya and Rajpur wards are adjacent to Sarson Gaon, which is close to the forest area. Because of this proximity, the leopard frequently strays into these residential localities. The ward members warned that unless swift action is taken, a serious incident could occur anytime.
Local ward members Anju Bisht (Dubkiya ward), Vikas Kumar (Rajpur ward), Naveen Kumar (Ramsila ward), and Rakesh Bisht jointly submitted the memorandum to the DFO. They specifically demanded that—
A cage be installed at a suitable spot between Rajpur and Dubkiya wards,
The Forest Department conduct night patrolling in the affected areas,
Police support be sought if necessary to ensure public safety.
This time, the ward members submitted the memorandum not only to the DFO but also to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Almora and the local Forest Ranger office. They said the leopard’s movements are no longer just a wildlife concern but a pressing public safety issue.
Residents have also appealed to the Forest Department for immediate intervention. Many say they no longer feel safe stepping out at night, with women and school-going children particularly terrified. Several locals have even claimed to have seen the leopard with their own eyes.
The ward members further cautioned the administration that if the cage is not set up soon and the leopard’s movements are not curbed, public anger could escalate. They emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action between the administration and the Forest Department to restore peace and security in the area.
Meanwhile, residents are anxiously waiting for the Forest Department to act swiftly and install the cage, while also initiating strict night patrolling to prevent any untoward incident.
