Leopard attacks in Pauri district trigger Srinagar–Pauri highway protest by villagers

Villagers in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district blocked the Srinagar–Pauri highway at Khandah for three hours, citing repeated leopard attacks and safety fears. They accused the Forest Department of slow action, while ambulances were allowed through. Divisional Forest Officer Mahatim Yadav reached the site, calmed protestors, and said official and local hunters would be deployed.

Residents in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district blocked the Srinagar-Pauri highway at Khandah for three hours on Monday. The protest followed repeated leopard attacks and fear in nearby villages. The blockade began at 10 am and slowed most traffic. Ambulances and other essential services were allowed to pass during the disruption.

Villagers said the forest department had not acted firmly despite rising incidents. The group demanded quick steps to prevent more attacks. After learning about the protest, Divisional Forest Officer of Garhwal Forest Division, Mahatim Yadav, reached the site. Mahatim Yadav spoke with the crowd and helped restore vehicle movement.

Leopard attacks in Pauri district drive Srinagar-Pauri highway protest

The area has reported several leopard-related cases in recent weeks. A leopard attacked a woman in Auni village on Sunday evening. The woman survived after her husband drove the animal away with stones. The woman suffered injuries during the incident, locals said.

Earlier, a leopard killed a 60-year-old man in Kamand village of Pauri block on May 15. The victim was collecting fodder for cattle at the time. Another episode was reported on May 9 in Ekeshwar block. Two leopards were seen near a government primary school campus during morning assembly.

Forest department steps in after leopard attacks in Pauri district

Mahatim Yadav told villagers that official and local hunters would deploy in the area to eliminate the leopard. The forest department also stepped up patrols across the affected locations. Officials said monitoring was being expanded to track animal movement. The aim was to respond faster to fresh sightings and reports.

The department said it added surveillance tools and capture equipment in the region. It installed nearly 30 cameras, including four solar cameras, in the area. "We have also increased the number of cages to eight,\" Sub-Divisional Officer SDO Aisha Bisht told. These measures were shared as part of the response plan.

Villagers warned that protests could grow if results did not follow soon. Residents said safety concerns remained high, especially in areas near homes and fields. The highway blockade ended after talks and assurances from officials. Authorities continued patrols and planned further action based on new information from the villages.

With inputs from PTI