Lucknow, life has come to a standstill, as a leopard sighting has triggered a new wave of panic. Only months after the fear of a tiger’s presence gripped the region, the arrival of a new wild predator has left the villagers in a state of constant anxiety.
The distress is reminiscent of a similar episode in December 2024, when a tiger was spotted in the Rahmankhera Central Horticulture Institute, causing villagers to live in fear for nearly three months until the forest department successfully captured the animal.
Now, the reemergence of a wild cat has once again cast a shadow of terror over the community. The leopard, which has been seen lurking near Mandauli Kheda village, is causing particular concern among women, children, and the elderly, who now prefer to stay indoors after sunset. Those who venture out carry wooden batons and sticks for protection, an indication of the escalating fear in the area. The situation has worsened over the past few days, with many villagers fearing for their lives as they go about daily chores like working in the fields or tending to livestock.
On Thursday morning, Ram Kumar, a farmer from the village, reportedly spotted the leopard in a field. Terrified, he rushed back to warn others, prompting a group of villagers to set out towards the Behta Nala area, where the animal had been last seen. However, by the time they arrived, the leopard had vanished into the dense forest. In the days that followed, several villagers reported hearing the sounds of the leopard’s growls at night, further adding to the mounting fear.
Local residents, including Ashish Yadav, Pradeep, and Rajesh Yadav, have expressed their apprehension about venturing into the fields for work. While some are still forced to take their livestock to graze, they now do so in groups, armed with sticks, ensuring they return home before the onset of darkness. Children have been strictly prohibited from stepping outside, as the fear of the leopard roaming freely in the vicinity continues to loom large.
The situation has prompted the Lucknow District Forest Officer (DFO) to take immediate action. Sitanshu Pandey confirmed that pugmarks believed to belong to the leopard have been found in Mandauli village. A team of forest personnel has been dispatched to monitor the area and form a strategy to safely capture the animal. While efforts are underway to address the crisis, the residents remain in a state of uncertainty, anxiously awaiting a resolution.
The repeated encounters with wild predators in the region raise concerns about human-wildlife conflict and the increasing frequency of such incidents in rural areas. The proximity of forests to villages, coupled with encroachment and habitat loss, could be contributing factors to the growing number of sightings. Authorities must balance conservation efforts with the safety of local communities to prevent such incidents in the future.
The fear gripping Mandauli village is a reflection of the broader challenges that India faces in managing its biodiversity and human-wildlife interactions. As villagers wait for the forest department to resolve the leopard scare, it serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained between humans and wildlife in areas where they coexist.
Mandauli Village Paralyzed by Leopard Threat
