Leopard
Leopard
Animal attacks on human beings are not stopping in Himachal Pradesh. While on Friday a resident was killed by a leopard in Bharari area of Bilaspur district, a resident of Bhunad village of Chamba district was left grievously injured in a bear attack on Sunday.

Tilak Raj (45), a resident of Dadhol Kalan village of Bilaspur was attacked by a leopard on Friday night and his body was found the next day 5,000m away from his house. Forest department had installed three cages to trap the leopard but wild animal is still roaming free in the area.

Sources said that on Saturday afternoon, some people were passing through the forest area when the leopard again attacked them but as people were carrying tools used for the job of a carpenter, they somehow managed to save themselves. Movement of the leopard has created panic in the area.

On Sunday, Sher Singh of Bhunad panchayat of Chamba was heading towards the forest to graze his cattle, a black bear attacked him. Though Sher Singh fought with the bear to save his life, but in the process he sustained injuries. While fighting with bear, Singh had also started raising alarm for help and hearing his cries some people had rushed for help. The bear hearing the noise of the people ran towards the forest. Singh was taken to the hospital for treatment.

In Himachal Pradesh, dwindling populations of wild animals have increased since imposition of total ban on hunting since 1984. The increase in agricultural activity coupled with increased human interference in hitherto undisturbed areas has led to a greater human-animal conflict.