ITANAGAR, 5 Dec: The Banderdewa range forest officer (headquarters) and the Banderdewa divisional forest officer have taken actions to create awareness among the people, and also installed a trap to capture and rehabilitate a leopard/tiger (big cat), ever since the movement of a big cat has been observed in Sangdupota circle of Papum Pare district, said an official release from the chief wildlife warden.
It is reported that a leopard/tiger has been sighted by the people of Lao and other villages of Sangdupota circle under the Banderdewa forest division, causing damage by “predating on the mithuns and creating a panic-like situation among the local community in the nearby areas,” the release said.
A task force has been constituted with senior officers of the forest department and wildlife experts, under the command of Chief Conservator of Forests (WAC, Banderdewa) Tapek Riba, to take up the task of handling the situation, the release said, adding that the task force, with the support of the frontline forest field staff and the local community, will track the movement of the animal in order to prevent conflict with the local village community.
“The frontline staffers are constantly monitoring the ground situation, interacting with the local community leaders, and creating awareness among the residents of Lao and other villages of Sangdupota circle. An advisory has also been issued to avoid movement during
early morning and late evening hours; securing livestock in enclosures; ensuring special care of the children, etc,” the release said.
The forest department has taken all possible steps to rescue the animal without causing any further disturbance to the local community, the release said, and urged the local community to remain vigilant, cooperate with the task force, and report any sighting of the big cat to the forest department.
