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Wildlife terror in Uttarakhand: Leopard kills woman in Nainital, body found in forest; panic grips villagers

By Samira Vishwas

Nainital: The terror of wild animals in Uttarakhand continues to haunt local communities. From Garhwal to Kumaon, incidents of leopard and bear attacks are being reported almost every week. The latest tragedy occurred in Talli Dini village of Dhari tehsil, Nainital district, today, on Friday morning.

According to reports, Hema Devi, wife of Gopal Singh, had gone out to collect fodder for her cattle. A leopard lying in wait near her house suddenly pounced on her. The attack was so fierce that she had no chance to escape. The leopard dragged her into the forest despite her attempts to fight back.

Hema Devi spotted the leopard first and tried to scare it away

Witnesses say Hema Devi spotted the leopard first and tried to scare it away by pelting stones. But the animal refused to let go and overpowered her. Alarmed by her cries, family members and villagers rushed to the spot and began searching the forest. After an extensive search, they found her body deep inside the forest.

Fear grips the village

The incident has created panic across the area. Villagers say they now live in constant fear of leopard attacks. They have demanded that the forest department capture the animal immediately. Anger is also rising against officials, with locals demanding compensation for the victim’s family.

Forest department team reached the site

A forest department team reached the site soon after the incident. Officials have begun investigation and assured villagers that steps will be taken to prevent further attacks. However, residents remain unconvinced, pointing to repeated failures in controlling wild animal attacks across the region.

Leopards have previously killed several people

This is not an isolated case. Leopards have previously killed several people in Pauri Garhwal district, sparking widespread anger against the forest department. In Chamoli’s Pokhari block, villagers are equally terrified of bears. In recent weeks, three schoolchildren were attacked by bears in separate incidents, highlighting the growing scale of human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand.

Leopards and bears often target cattle or stray near homes

Experts say shrinking forest cover, rising human activity, and lack of prey are forcing wild animals closer to villages. Leopards and bears often target cattle or stray near homes, increasing the risk of attacks. Villagers, meanwhile, feel helpless and demand stronger measures, including fencing, patrols, and relocation of dangerous animals.

 

 

 

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