Leopard scare: Locals vent anger at forest officials for lack of caution signs

BENGALURU: With the leopard scare continuing on the outskirts of the city, Forest Department officials are on high alert and are making all the efforts to trap the animals. Locals, however, have vented their anger against the department for not putting up caution signs in the area.

The office of  the Turahalli state forest area.

The officials of the Forest Department conducted combing operations around Kengeri, Kumbalagodu, Devanahalli, Chikkajala and Turahalli forest areas. Forty forest officers in four teams have found fresh footprints of the leopard, and combing operations continued for the third day.

Forest Department officials looking for fresh footprints in Turahalli forest area.

The Forest Department has released a few instructions to the public:

Keep domestic animals inside the house or shed from dusk until dawn.

People should not walk outside the house alone.

Children should not be sent to play outside the house.

Farmers should not sleep or sit on the ground alone in the farm.

The citizens should return home before dark.

“We requested the concerned officials to put up caution boards and street lights as people use this road to commute. Locals will be aware of the situation, but not the outsiders. This road connects to many other places, but officials should create awareness”, said a concerned citizen.