Leopard Attacks Surge in Uttarakhand: Ghost Villages Fueling Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Leopard attacks are rapidly increasing in Uttarakhand's hilly areas, particularly in Nainital, causing fear among residents.
• Experts attribute the rise to mountain migration, leading to 'ghost villages' where deserted lands become leopard habitats.
• Lack of natural prey in forests drives leopards to human settlements, preying on livestock, pets, and sometimes humans.
• DFO Akash Gangwar highlights that women and elderly collecting fodder/wood in forest-adjacent villages are vulnerable, especially during morning/evening.
• The Forest Department is running awareness campaigns, advising villagers against solitary forest entry and night travel, while noting increased aggression during mating season and rising tiger populations complicating conflicts.

Why It Matters: Migration and 'ghost villages' are transforming Uttarakhand's landscape, escalating human-leopard conflicts significantly.