JAIPUR: Leopards dwelling in caves at Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve (JBLCR) are fast losing their homes as encroachers are blocking the entrances of caves in the hills.
Several caves have been blocked by thorny bushes, stones and debris to shut the natural shelters of leopards living in the surroundings of villages, including Bisalpur, Jeewda, Serna, Bera and Kothar. Encroachers have also fenced hilly trails and closed paths to restrict the movement of leopards.
As many hills are located on pasture and government land, locals are finding it easy to encroach as the district administration is turning a blind eye to the issue.
A member of a safari association, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We have apprised the administration about the encroachments on pasture and government land several times. Recently, a memorandum was given to administrative officials. However, no action has been initiated. If timely action is not taken, the habitat of these wild cats will be destroyed.”
The Jawai Dam reserve is home to a wide variety of animals, including rusty-spotted cats and nearly 65 cave-dwelling leopards. Wildlife enthusiasts fear that increased human activity will affect the solitude of these hills and push leopards far from the reserve.
“Only in Jawai Bandh, one can see leopards living in caves. Encroachment is a serious threat and may become a cause for leopards to move from the area,” said Vishvaraj Singh, a wildlife enthusiast.
The Jawai Bandh forests were previously a closed wildlife area. On February 23, 2010, the state government declared the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve. Since then, it has set a successful example of wildlife peacefully co-existing with humans. “If the caves are destroyed, either the leopards will abandon the area or man-animal conflicts will increase. The forest and district administration should act on the issue at the earliest,” said Naveen Menon, a wildlife enthusiast, who often visits the region for leopard safari.
Several caves have been blocked by thorny bushes, stones and debris to shut the natural shelters of leopards living in the surroundings of villages, including Bisalpur, Jeewda, Serna, Bera and Kothar. Encroachers have also fenced hilly trails and closed paths to restrict the movement of leopards.
stones and debris
As many hills are located on pasture and government land, locals are finding it easy to encroach as the district administration is turning a blind eye to the issue.
A member of a safari association, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We have apprised the administration about the encroachments on pasture and government land several times. Recently, a memorandum was given to administrative officials. However, no action has been initiated. If timely action is not taken, the habitat of these wild cats will be destroyed.”
The Jawai Dam reserve is home to a wide variety of animals, including rusty-spotted cats and nearly 65 cave-dwelling leopards. Wildlife enthusiasts fear that increased human activity will affect the solitude of these hills and push leopards far from the reserve.
“Only in Jawai Bandh, one can see leopards living in caves. Encroachment is a serious threat and may become a cause for leopards to move from the area,” said Vishvaraj Singh, a wildlife enthusiast.
The Jawai Bandh forests were previously a closed wildlife area. On February 23, 2010, the state government declared the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve. Since then, it has set a successful example of wildlife peacefully co-existing with humans. “If the caves are destroyed, either the leopards will abandon the area or man-animal conflicts will increase. The forest and district administration should act on the issue at the earliest,” said Naveen Menon, a wildlife enthusiast, who often visits the region for leopard safari.
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