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Time of India

Leopard kills woman grazing goats in Pauri Garhwal

Dehradun: A leopard mauled a 35-year-old woman to death while she was grazing goats in her fields near forests after the predator ambushed her from behind bushes at Halsi village in Pauri Garhwal's Lansdowne forest division, Dwarikhal block, on Sunday evening. This was the third fatal leopard attack in the region within a month despite intensified patrolling and other mitigation measures by forest officials. Former gram panchayat of Jawad, Rajesh Miya, said Lata Devi screamed for help when the leopard attacked her but villagers were unable to save her. Forest and district administration officials reached the location soon after the incident to assist the victim's family. Villagers from nearby areas such as Banali, Kandakhal, Bistana, Jawar, and Birmoli demanded that forest officials kill the leopard, fearing it could attack others in the vicinity. Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Lansdowne, Aakash Gangwar, who met the family along with frontline staff, said the ex-gratia compensation process for the victim's family had begun. "Camera traps and cages are being installed, and patrolling has increased to prevent further incidents," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Gangwar said Halsi village is surrounded by dense forests and bushes like Lantana camara, providing ideal cover for predators. He added, "Only three families reside in that area, making isolated residents especially vulnerable to attacks, particularly during rains." Leopard attacks have sharply risen in Uttarakhand, particularly in districts like Pauri, Almora, and Rudraprayag. Experts attribute this increasing conflict to shrinking habitats, reduced wild prey availability, and villagers regularly venturing into forests for livelihood activities. Over two dozen people have died in wildlife attacks across Uttarakhand this year, according to preliminary forest department data.