In 10 years, leopards killed 34 persons, injured 350 in HP
In the last decade, leopards have strayed into human habitation and killed 34 people in different parts of the hill state.
The prowling leopards in Himachal have certainly raised concerns for the forest department, which has now ordered to carry out a statewide survey to assess the population of felines that threaten humans and livestock in the state.
“Increasing biotic interference in the habitats of large carnivores, including leopards, and easy availability of food/ prey base in the human-used landscapes has brought them towards human habitations, causing leopard-human conflicts,” said additional chief secretary Tarun Kapoor.
The state has witnessed 34 deaths due to leopard attacks since 2004. In addition, 367 cases of injury to people have also been reported over the same period.
However, the highest death cases were reported between 2007 and 2008 when seven people were reported to be killed.
The number of such attacks is high in Bilaspur and Hamirpur district where their population has risen in the last decade.
The wildlife wing of the forest department will now set up rapidresponse teams in three different locations including Shimla, Hamirpur and Dharamshala.
The teams will be equipped with tranquilising dart guns to catch the wandering leopards.
The wildlife department has been directed to set up a telephone number for the teams, so that people could inform them.
Leopard attacks are most common , in Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Mandi districts.