Deadly man-eater incidents are on a terrible rise across Uttarakhand, with women, children and senior citizens becoming the major targets as fatalities surge phenomenally. There is an atmosphere of fear in almost all districts of the state, and at several places schools have been forced to remain closed due to leopards freely roaming in residential areas. In some villages, residents have even abandoned their homes out of fear of increasing man-eater attacks.
Just yesterday a woman was attacked by a man-eater leopard on her thigh. Fortunately, she bravely fought back and managed to save herself. Today, another 65-year-old woman was attacked. She too showed courage and saved herself despite suffering a deep injury to her left hand and profuse bleeding.
According to the latest report from Rudraprayag district, Narayani Devi, 65, wife of Pushkar Singh Rawat and a resident of Koti Pathalidhar village in Basukedar tehsil under Agastyamuni block, was cutting grass near her fields when a leopard hiding in the bushes suddenly attacked her. The animal badly injured her hands, legs and other parts of the body. Despite being seriously hurt, Narayani Devi did not panic and struck the leopard repeatedly with the sickle she was holding. Frightened by her resistance, the leopard fled into the forest.
Even after the attack, the injured woman picked up her bundle of grass and somehow reached home. Seeing her bleeding, her son immediately took her to the Community Health Center in Agastyamuni, where doctors provided first aid. Doctors said she sustained deep wounds but is now out of danger after treatment.
As soon as the information was received, a Forest Department team reached the hospital to meet the injured woman, while another team went to the spot for inspection. Local villagers have expressed concern over the growing leopard menace and have urged the Forest Department to carry out regular patrolling, monitor leopard movement, and take concrete steps to ensure the safety of people.
The continuous rise in leopard attacks in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand has left farmers and villagers working in forests and fields living in constant fear, making human-wildlife conflict a serious concern for the state.
