Srinagar June 4: District administration Budgam on Friday approved compensation to the family of a four-year-old girl from Housing Colony Ompora who was allegedly mauled to death by a leopard even as it ordered various measures to mitigate the threat of the big cats in the area.
The district administration has also ordered killing of the leopard it said had turned a man-eater, after sanction from the competent authority.
The victim, Adha Shakil, daughter of Shakil Ahmad, was reportedly taken away by the beast last evening when she was playing in the lawn of her house.
Her mauled body was found by locals and the search team this morning.
An official handout said that in this backdrop, a meeting was chaired by DC Budgam with concerned officials including SSP Budgam, DFO Budgam and Wildlife Warden Budgam regarding mitigation measures and prevent loss of life in such incidents of man-animal conflict in future.
As per the handout, Wild Life Warden Budgam has been asked to immediately prepare compensation case in favour of the victim’s family and get the case sanctioned from competent authority within three days positively so that necessary compensation is paid to family.
In other measures, DFO, PP Division Budgam has been asked to ensure immediate removal of fallen material in the Ompora forests and other risk areas forthwith in order to avoid any further loss of life and property in the area.
It said Commissioner Secretary to Government Forest Ecology and Environment J&K has assured sanction within two days.
Besides, DFO , PP Division Budgam has been asked to take immediate steps for erection and strengthening of existing chain-link fencing at Ompora forests and also submit DPR to the higher authorities for sanction of funds.
The DFO has also been asked to process the proposal for sanction of thinning of the forest immediately.
The district administration has asked Wild life Warden Budgam to deploy staff well equipped with machinery for elimination of the Wild Animal (leopard) “which has turned man-eater” after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.
“Wild Life Staff will be deputed in the periphery of the Ompora Forests for patrolling and awareness among general public regarding roaming of the leopard in the area. She will take immediate steps for capturing of the roaming animal in the forests. Any laxity on this score shall be dealt with strictly, ” the handout said.