MF AHMAD
Daltonganj, Jan 5: The regional chief conservator of forest in Palamu Kumar Ashutosh, IFS, who is primarily the chief conservator of forest and field director of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has urged the social media and locals not to spread unfounded news about the leopard as it affects its tracking very badly.
Ashutosh said, “Social media carried information about drones camera trapping three leopards which is nothing but a figment of imagination. There is so far no recording of any image of any wildlife by the drones.”
Ashutosh again said a video clip was made viral about two tigers crossing a road in Palamu which was all fake and nonsense.
“It’s a hard time now. A carnivore is on the prowl. It’s time to be cool, calm and factual. It will help the team much in tracking or containing the leopard,” Ashutosh said.
Wrong and fake information will lead to wrong location installation of the camera traps, he reminded.
Ashutosh was in Bhandarya on Wednesday taking stock of the situation arising due to the menace of the leopard there and in other blocks of Garhwa like Ranka, Chiniya, Ramkanda etc.
Speaking to Lagatar24.com today Ashutosh said, ” Leopard was last claimed to have been spotted by a woman at Binda which is right on the threshold of the Kutku range of the tiger reserve Palamu. We do not know if the leopard that is claimed to have been so spotted will sneak into PTR.”
He conceded that the leopard is yet to be eye-sighted by the forest personnel or official as whatever version is doing the rounds is either of the bereaved families or of the passing by villagers etc.
On being asked if as regional chief conservator of forest Palamu, is he satisfied with the preparation or strategy for the leopard to which he said, “The Garhwa district forest administration has pulled out all stops and is trying to do all to provide a relief from the man killing and man-eating leopard.”
