An elusive leopard, missing animals and concerned villagers – a story of two panchayats in Idukki

Idukki: A leopard has been spreading fear in Muttom and Karimkunnam panchayats in Idukki for over a month. Some days, residents wake up to disturbing scenes. Bloody remains of goats may be scattered along the road or in the grounds of the house. Dogs that roam at night disappear from homes.

People hardly go out when it gets dark. Some rubber tappers muster up the courage to leave early in the morning, others have skipped work. Those who go to other places for work arrive earlier than usual and return home before nightfall. They cannot keep that up for long and the protests have become fierce.

Two days ago, people gathered in large numbers to protest at a public meeting organized by Muttom Panchayat, demanding capture of the leopard.

The people told the gathering that even after a month, the forest department officials had failed to capture the leopard. They said that with each passing day, the presence of a leopard is confirmed in more places.

Forest department authorities have set up cameras and cages to capture the leopard, but people say they want more proactive measures.

Sijo Samuel, Range Officer of the Forest Department, said that only if the image of the leopard is recorded in the cameras installed at various places where the presence of the leopard has been confirmed, other things can be done legally. Steps will soon be taken to set up cages at other locations. The range officer said people should not spread rumors about leopard sightings.

PJ Joseph MLA, who chaired an all-party meeting, demanded that more Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) be deployed in areas where the leopard has been spotted.

The presence of a leopard has also been observed in some wards in Thodupuzha municipality. Though cameras have been installed in Parakadav and Manjummav areas under Thodupuzha municipality, no footage has been recorded so far.