The leopard reportedly lunged towards sarpanch before retreating into nearby forested areas amid loud screams from residents
Kolhapur: A leopard that strayed into an urban settlement near Shedgewadi Phata on the Shedgewadi-Karad road in Sangli district’s Shirala taluka on Friday evening triggered panic among residents, prompting forest department to launch a search operation.
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Residents said leopard sightings had become increasingly frequent in Shedgewadi over the past month, especially close to homes and busy market areas, raising serious safety concerns. Farmers are also being forced to risk their lives while working in fields and tending to livestock,” sarpanch Natulkar said. A Shirala range forest official said the department’s wildlife rapid rescue team remained deployed in the area and efforts to locate the leopard were on. Ashok Lokar, taluka president of the Rayat Kranti Sanghatana, said wild animals and monkeys are damaging crops in farmlands bordering forest areas, causing substantial losses to farmers. Crop damage is mounting and farmers are bearing the brunt of the losses,” he said.
The big cat was spotted in a garden in Shedgewadi’s market area, drawing a large crowd. As villagers gathered, sarpanch Tanaji Natulkar urged them to maintain a safe distance. During the commotion, the leopard reportedly lunged towards him before retreating into nearby forested areas amid loud screams from residents. “Forest department’s rapid rescue team reached the spot and conducted a search using a drone. The leopard, however, could not be traced as it was hiding in dense vegetation. Its movement in residential areas is worrying, especially for schoolchildren. Farmers have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly while entering farmland after dark. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Satara district, residents of Kasar Shirambe village in Karad taluka submitted a memorandum to forest department demanding immediate measures to curb increasing wildlife incursions and compensate affected farmers. The villagers warned of protests if prompt action is not taken. “Despite repeated representations to forest department, the response has fallen short of expectations. Download the TOI App.