Concerns about human-wildlife conflict around the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) have intensified, with a nine-year-old boy being killed in a leopard attack in Anand Nagar village of the Katarniaghat range on Monday night.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of villagers living close to the sanctuary, coming shortly after the death of a 28-year-old Ram Singh in a leopard attack in Mahboob Nagar village on September 1, another settlement adjoining the sanctuary area.
Despite these rescue and capture operations, five people have lost their lives in leopard attacks in the current financial year. A leopard reportedly emerged from the sugarcane fields behind his house and attacked the child. Camera traps are being installed in the area to identify and monitor the animal involved in the attack. A cage is also being placed in the area as part of efforts to capture the leopard and prevent further attacks. The latest killing of the nine-year-old boy in Anand Nagar has further heightened anxiety among villagers.
The latest incident took place at around 9 pm on September 7 when nine-year-old Rajveer went to a handpump located along the roadside to fetch water, according to forest department officials. The death of 28-year-old Ram Singh in Mahboob Nagar village recently had already triggered concern among local residents.
Forest officials said pugmarks believed to be those of a leopard were found near the incident site.
