BIJNOR: The forest department in Bijnor is grappling with an unusual challenge as it attempts to address the growing threat of leopard attacks in the region, with more than 25 people having fallen victim to the big cats and over a dozen injured since Jan last year. In what was thought to be a smart move, the department set up over 50 traps across the region, using goats as bait to capture marauding leopards.However, despite the imminent danger, thieves continue to steal the goats, eating them and selling them.
Rupesh Kumar, a resident of Ram Bagh colony, said, “A leopard was spotted near the village a few days ago. Upon receiving the information, the forest department installed a cage with a goat inside to lure the wild feline. However, someone stole the goat.”
He added, “Villagers then came together and raised funds to purchase another goat, which was kept inside the cage. Unfortunately, the second goat was also stolen on Wednesday. Frustrated over repeated thefts, locals have now decided to remove the cage altogether.”
Over the past two months, numerous goats have been whisked away from the cages set up by the forest department in various locations across the district, including Pilana, Kotwali Dehat, Afjalgarh and Chandpur.
Bijnor’s divisional forest officer, Gyan Singh, confirmed the theft incidents. “We have identified 87 sensitive villages. In an effort to capture the big cats, we strategically placed 50 cages at various locations, using goats as bait. However, thieves stole some of the goats, posing a significant challenge to the operation. It is a big concern for us. We have filed complaints in respective police stations.”
Leopards have found a thriving habitat in the sugarcane fields of the region, with an estimated population of over 500 in Bijnor alone.
Rupesh Kumar, a resident of Ram Bagh colony, said, “A leopard was spotted near the village a few days ago. Upon receiving the information, the forest department installed a cage with a goat inside to lure the wild feline. However, someone stole the goat.”
He added, “Villagers then came together and raised funds to purchase another goat, which was kept inside the cage. Unfortunately, the second goat was also stolen on Wednesday. Frustrated over repeated thefts, locals have now decided to remove the cage altogether.”
Over the past two months, numerous goats have been whisked away from the cages set up by the forest department in various locations across the district, including Pilana, Kotwali Dehat, Afjalgarh and Chandpur.
Bijnor’s divisional forest officer, Gyan Singh, confirmed the theft incidents. “We have identified 87 sensitive villages. In an effort to capture the big cats, we strategically placed 50 cages at various locations, using goats as bait. However, thieves stole some of the goats, posing a significant challenge to the operation. It is a big concern for us. We have filed complaints in respective police stations.”
Leopards have found a thriving habitat in the sugarcane fields of the region, with an estimated population of over 500 in Bijnor alone.
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