Wednesday, 17 January 2027 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The State administration has issued guidelines to raise public awareness in view of the recent rise in leopard attacks in Dehradun and other parts of the State. This step was taken on the instructions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who had directed that effective measures should be taken to check such incidents of human-wildlife conflict. The administration has issued guidelines in coordination with the Forest department to ensure public cooperation at the local level to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. The authorities have advised people to avoid going alone in forest areas inhabited by wildlife.
As far as possible, people should move in a group in such areas and remain especially alert. Extreme caution should be observed if a wild animal is present in the area. Further, people should enter such areas between sunset and sunrise only if necessary and observe utmost caution while doing so. One should not enter the forest near the route suddenly for answering nature’s call or some other task. Children should be encouraged to move to and from school in groups. People have also been advised to keep a strong stick while moving through wooded areas. People should be careful when they come across a wild animal and maintain a safe distance as soon as possible.
The authorities have further stated that when people come across a wild animal they should ascertain whether the animal is alone or in a group. In case of animals which move in a group, people should check whether the other animals are chasing or nearing the person. This is very important from the safety point of view.
Further, people should avoid approaching wildlife out of curiosity or to click photographs. Special care should be observed in case of a wild animal accompanied by its young ones. Bushes should be cleared regularly near cowsheds, toilets and homes while also making arrangements for light. This is especially important during the monsoon and foggy conditions during the winter otherwise wild animals get places to hide near humans which increases the risk of incidents.
The letter written by Forest section deputy secretary Satya Prakash Singh to the Information director general further states any type of garbage should not be thrown near the home or out on the road. Improperly disposed garbage attracts wild animals looking for a convenient source of food which increases the chances of their encounters with humans.
