Panic grips Cuttack residents after leopard spotted roaming on road, video goes viral

A purported video showing a leopard roaming near the main road of Pragala, in Narsinghpur block in Cuttack district of Odisha is now going viral on various social media platforms. The tiger was spotted near a road divider late on Wednesday night, making a sudden leap to the other side. The big cat is believed to have come from the nearby area of Satkosia. However, the Forest Department has advised the public not to panic.

Reports indicate that the Odisha government has been planning to establish a sanctuary for tigers in Satkosia, as the tiger population has been steadily rising along with other wildlife, creating a favourable environment for leopards. Consequently, the increasing leopard numbers have led them to move closer to villages. The Odisha government has proposed relocating nearby villages to ensure the safety of both locals and wildlife. However, conflicts and protests have erupted between villagers and the government regarding this relocation.

This recent incident underscores the close proximity of villages to wildlife habitats. Local villagers, on their way home, spotted the big cat, believed to be a leopard, and captured the video, which has since gone viral. This close encounter has left villagers terrified.

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What Are The Steps Taken By Forest Dept To Deal With The Situation?

The forest department has acted swiftly to address the situation. Watchers and forest officials are on high alert to drive away the leopard if further sightings occur. Officials suspect that the big cat might have strayed from the nearby Satkosia jungle. Recently, there have been several reports of big cats hunting cattle in surrounding villages and being seen roaming the area.

Security Concerns Of The Local Villagers:

The recent leopard sightings have instilled fear among local villagers, who are now reluctant to venture outside after sunset. Many villagers have started tightly securing their homes by twilight, with several complaints reportedly filed with the forest department.

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According to forest department sources, officials are taking significant measures to keep elephants and leopards away from the villages. Based on the complaints received, the department is closely monitoring the situation and taking all possible steps to prevent further leopard-human interactions and any potential attacks on villagers.