BIJNOR: In the absence of boundary walls in 650 government primary schools in the rural Bijnor , some 30,000 students are exposed to constant danger of being attacked by leopards. The schools are located in areas prone to leopard attacks.The matter has acquired alarming proportions as leopard sightings have increased in the region after harvesting of sugarcane. In the past 45 days, 13 leopard sightings have taken place in the area adjoining Amangarh forest. During this period leopards have attacked four persons. Around two months ago, a leopard had appeared in front of a school van in Haldaur area but its driver somehow managed to save the students.The forest department, which is observing leopard safety month till April 20, is making efforts to make parents and children aware about how to avoid a confrontation with the big cat Forest department officials estimate that over the past three years, leopard population has increased to 100 besides cubs in the areas adjoining Amangarh forest. Most of these leopards have made the cane fields adjoining the forest their home. The cane fields provide both refuge and prey such as deer , dogs rabbits and cow and nilgai calves for these animals.Foresters also attribute the growing tiger numbers from 13 to about 19 in Amangarh forest as the reason why leopards have moved towards human habitation.Admitting that leopard sightings have increased after cane harvesting, divisional forest officer M Semmaran said, “We are making villagers aware about how to avoid a leopard attack and what they should do when a big cat is sighted. There are 25 villagers where leopard sightings are common. The leopard is a shy animal and it does not normally attack human beings. But people have to take precautions.”The leopards are unlikely to attack schools if they are hemmed in by a boundary wall. They are unlikely to attack crowds but a chance encounter with an adult or child could make the big cat nervous and attack, warn experts.On being asked about the matter, district coordinator of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, Saleem Beg said, “As many as 650 primary and higher primary schools do not have boundary walls. We had sent a proposal last year for the same. Now, it has been okayed by the authorities. A sum of Rs 98.55 lakh has been sanctioned for constructing walls around these schools. The walls will soon be built to protect the kids.”

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