BUDGAM: After the mauling of a girl by a leopard in Ompara area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, authorities have decided to eliminate the man-eater leopard.
Four-year-old girl Adha was taken away by a leopard from the back-yard of her house at Government Housing Colony Ompora on Thursday evening. After night long search operation, the body parts of the little girl were found in a forest nursery on Friday morning.
The incident sparked massive protest against District Administration Budgam and Wild Life Department.
“Can you believe it that there are only 8 Forest Guards and one Ranger for the whole forest nursery comprising of over 550 kanals. After every gory incident, authorities take measures only on papers while nothing changes on the ground,” the grandfather of the little victim girl told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The incident forced District Administration to convene a meeting to put curbs on the free movement of the wild animals. The meeting was presided by DC Budgam and was attended by SSP Budgam, Divisional Forest Officer and Wild Life Warden Budgam.
It was decided that Wild life Warden Budgam will deploy staff well equipped with machinery for elimination of the Wild Animal (Leopard) which has turned man-eater after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.
In the meeting it was also decided that Divisional Forest Officer Budgam will ensure immediate removal of fallen material and other cultural operations at Ompora Forests and other risk areas forthwith in order to avoid to any further loss of life and property in the area. To ensure this, Commissioner Secretary to Government Forest Ecology and Environmental J&K has assured sanction within two days.
“Divisional Forest Officer Budgam will immediately take steps for erection and strengthening of existing chain-link fencing at Ompora forests and will also submit DPR to the higher authorities for sanction of funds. He will also process the proposal/ case for sanction of thinning of the forest immediately.”
Besides Wild life Warden Budgam will deploy staff well equipped with machinery for elimination of the Wild Animal (Leopard) which has turned man-eater after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.
It was also decided in the meeting that Wild Life Staff will be deputed in the periphery of the Ompora Forests for patrolling and awareness among general public regarding roaming of the leopard in the area. She will take immediate steps for capturing of the roaming animal in the forests. Any laxity on this score shall be dealt with strictly.
Further, Wild Life Warden Budgam will immediately prepare compensation case of the victim girl and get the same sanctioned from competent authority within 3 days positively so that necessary compensation is paid to family of deceased. (KNT)
