Rajsamand, May 13: The impact of the severe heat is now evident on wildlife in Rajsamand district. Late Sunday night, three leopards were spotted roaming on the road between Kuwariya and Podawali. Passersby recorded videos of the leopards, leading to a state of panic in nearby villages.
According to reports, around 1 AM, several vehicle drivers passing through the Kuwariya-Podawali route encountered the leopards on the road. The sudden appearance of the leopards startled the drivers, with some capturing videos from a safe distance, which later went viral on social media.
Villagers have expressed concerns that due to the extreme heat, water sources in forests and hilly areas are drying up rapidly. In search of water and prey, leopards are moving closer to populated areas. There have been increasing reports of leopard movements in the region over the past few days.
Residents and drivers have raised alarms about the potential dangers this situation poses at night, especially for two-wheeler riders. They have urged the forest department to increase patrols and launch awareness campaigns in the villages.
DFO Ramanand Bhakar stated that it is normal for wildlife to move towards populated areas as temperatures rise. The department has appealed to the public to remain vigilant at night and avoid venturing into deserted areas alone. The forest department is preparing to enhance monitoring in the region.