Saurashtra University bans jogging
The Saurashtra University in Rajkot has abruptly banned jogging on its campus during morning and evening hours due to the presence of an adult leopard that was spotted near the Bio Sciences department two days ago.
The leopard has taken shelter in the dense Miyawaki forest area inside the university campus, and officials say it has demarcated its territory, posing a serious threat to students, faculty, staff and joggers who frequent the sprawling campus during the early and late hours.
“The leopard has demarcated its area in the Saurashtra University posing a grave danger to the students, faculties, staff and the joggers flocking to the sprawling campus during the morning and evening hours,” a wildlife official said.
The Rajkot forest department has placed cages to trap the leopard at three different spots inside the university, but the animal has so far eluded them.
Earlier, an official press note was released by the forest department about leopard sightings in Rajkot city and district. Rajkot Deputy Forest Conservation office advised people to be vigilant. Different cages have been prepared by the forest department and they have been placed at three different locations.
Patrolling is being done by six different teams of the forest department, both during day and night. Instructions have been given not to spread false rumours and to be vigilant. Leopard food prints have been spotted in areas including Wagudad, Munjka, the University and Dankot-Krishnagar.
The leopard sighting has sparked fear among residents of Rajkot, as leopards are increasingly venturing into urban areas in search of prey and shelter.
Wildlife officials have advised people to be cautious and to avoid venturing into areas where leopards have been spotted. They have also urged people not to spread panic and to report any leopard sightings to the forest department immediately.
The Saurashtra University administration has said that the jogging ban will remain in place until the leopard is trapped and relocated.
“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” a university spokesperson said. “We have banned jogging during morning and evening hours as a precautionary measure, and we are working closely with the forest department to trap the leopard.”
The leopard sighting has highlighted the growing conflict between humans and wildlife in Gujarat. As urban areas expand, leopards and other wild animals are finding themselves increasingly hemmed in, and they are sometimes forced to venture into human settlements in search of food and water.
Experts say it is important to find ways to coexist with wildlife, and that steps need to be taken to avoid conflict.
“We need to find ways to live alongside wildlife,” said a wildlife biologist. “We need to educate people about how to stay safe around leopards, and we need to create corridors for animals to move through, so that they can avoid coming into contact with humans.”