Nizamabad: Frequent leopard sightings in rural areas and along highways in North Telangana, including Hyderabad-Nagpur National Highway 44 and Nizamabad-Basar routes, have raised alarm among residents over the past few months. While summer typically sees wild animals venturing into human settlements in search of water, the current rainy season has intensified leopard movements due to their mating season, according to forest officials. The closure of wildlife wings in major parks during July and August for breeding further contributes to this trend.
Residents living near forest areas, shepherds, and vehicle drivers are increasingly concerned about encounters with leopards and wild bears. CCTV footage from reserve forests and pug marks confirm the presence of leopards, with a recent incident on NH-44 near Indalwai, Kamareddy district, where a leopard was killed in a road accident. The growing leopard population, as noted in the 2022 wildlife census, is also driving their movement into human habitats. The next census, scheduled for 2026, is expected to show an increase from the current estimate of 20 leopards in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts.
Kamareddy District Forest Officer B. Nikhitha, also in charge of Nizamabad, attributed the frequent leopard movements to the mating season, with CCTV footage capturing leopards and their cubs every fortnight. She urged residents to stay vigilant and report sightings during field visits. Nizamabad North Forest Range Officer B. Sanjay Goud highlighted that leopard movements peak during early hours in deep forest areas. He noted the lack of underpasses on NH-44 as a factor in wildlife fatalities, suggesting 10-foot-high chain-link fencing along the highway to prevent leopards from crossing from Sirnapalli forest to Gandhari.
Shepherds venturing deep into forests have reported close encounters with leopards, though Goud clarified that leopards rarely attack humans unless provoked, particularly when people mimic four-legged postures during agricultural work. However, wild bears pose a greater threat, known for brutal attacks. The state government gives Rs 25,000 for injuries and Rs 5 lakh for deaths caused by wildlife attacks. Strict action will be taken against forest trespassers, Goud warned.
The forest department has called for increased awareness and immediate measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, as residents demand stronger protection from the growing presence of leopards and other wild animals in the region.
