By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: A leopard was spotted near National Highway 66 close to the INS Kadamba Naval Base in Karwar on Monday, triggering fear and concern among local residents and commuters. The location, just a short distance from the naval base, saw the big cat moving near the roadside, and several motorists managed to capture its movements on their mobile cameras.
According to residents, the same leopard has been sighted multiple times over the past week in Binaga and nearby villages, creating a sense of panic among villagers. Locals claim the animal has been seen roaming during late-night hours in different parts of the area.
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Forest officials have been alerted, and efforts are underway to track and monitor the leopard’s movement. However, this is not an isolated incident. Reports of leopard sightings have also surfaced recently in Kaiga, Dandeli, Haliyal, and Binaga regions, raising concerns about increasing human–wildlife encounters in the Western Ghats belt of coastal Uttara Kannada.
Experts note that expanding human settlements, deforestation, and shrinking forest corridors are pushing wild animals like leopards, elephants, and gaurs out of their natural habitats, forcing them to wander closer to human habitations in search of food and water. The Forest Department has urged residents not to panic and to avoid venturing into forested areas during nighttime. Officials have assured that necessary safety measures and monitoring teams are being deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
The recurring leopard sightings highlight the growing man–animal conflict in the region, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts to protect both human life and wildlife in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats of coastal Uttara Kannada.
