Bijnor: In an innovative move to tackle the increasing incidents of human-leopard conflict in Bijnor, the state forest department has unveiled a QR code to educate residents about the animals behaviour and how to avoid an encounter with them.The QR code, when scanned on mobile phones, will display a PDF file with comprehensive insights into leopard behaviour and conflict prevention through engaging cartoons to illustrate effective strategies, identify leopard pugmarks, and recommend alternative crop plantation methods.Bijnor sub-divisional forest officer Gyan Singh said, We have generated the QR code to raise awareness about the dos and donts to avoid leopard attacks in the region. Villagers will be sensitised via mobile phones, and plans are also underway to showcase animated videos in theatres before movies. Our aim is to make people aware about leopards behaviour during human attacks.Singh said key safety measures include urging people not to engage in open defecation, to move around in large groups in fields, avoid disturbing big cats, wear protective gear, and use radios and mobile music to deter leopards, especially when working in fields. Switching on the lights in the premises is also advised to keep the big cats at bay, he said.Notably, the Bijnor region has witnessed 18 human casualties since February due to leopard attacks, with more than 55 villagers sustaining injuries. The forest department has responded by capturing 42 leopards, relocating them to various zoos across UP. Leopards, inherently shy by nature, find an ideal habitat in sugarcane fields, thriving on an abundance of prey such as rabbits, deer, sambhar, wild boar, dogs, goats, calves, and nilgai.We also published the following articles recentlyDelhi: Forest officials use drone to spot leopard at Sainik FarmsThe forest department employed a drone to search the second day for a leopard that has strayed into Sainik Farms. An announcement has been made, asking residents to stay indoors and be cautious in the dark. No movement of the leopard was detected in the daytime. Another senior forest official told TOI on Sunday that the teams had spotted a leopard twice on Saturday, but no fresh sighting was made on Sunday. Some residents claimed they had seen the leopard on Sunday evening.Leopard spotted in Delhis Sainik Farm areaA leopard was sighted in the Sainik Farm area of Delhi, prompting the Delhi Forest Department to deploy a team and place a capture cage in the vicinity. The department responded to a complaint about the big cats presence and is actively working to ensure the safety of residents and successfully capture the leopard.Leopard sighting triggers panic at Delhis Sainik FarmsA leopard was sighted in Sainik Farms, causing panic and generating excitement on social media. Forest officials and Delhi police visited the area, where several videos of the leopard evading capture and attacking men were shared. The leopard was spotted near a farmhouse and is estimated to weigh 60-80 kg. Two traps with meat have been placed to capture the leopard. Residents have been warned to stay away from the area, and multiple teams are assisting in the search.

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