Leopard sighting causes panic among Kaluwapur residents

Kanchanpur: Residents of Kaluwapur Bazaar in Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Kanchanpur, were left panicked after an adult leopard was spotted in broad daylight near the market area.

The leopard was seen on a ghat near the East-West Highway, adjacent to the Shree Krishna Community Forest. Locals shouted and managed to chase the leopard back into the forest, according to Atul Bahadur Ayer, Joint Secretary of the Community Forest. He reported that residents of Amarpur and Kaluwapur Bazaar are now alarmed by the leopard's daytime appearance in the vicinity of human settlements.

Ayer also mentioned that this is not the first sighting in recent days. A leopard was spotted near the Banhara Bridge on the East-West Highway about a week ago, raising concerns among the locals. "Community forest conservation efforts have increased the population of wild animals like nilgai, chital, wild boar, and leopards," said Ayer. "As a result, locals have stopped venturing into the forest."

A morning yoga program conducted in the community forest hall was suspended for safety reasons following the leopard's appearance, residents said. Tek Bahadur Bhandari, a local, shared that the sight of wild animals during the daytime has made evening walks particularly frightening.