Leopard sighted in Odisha village, farmers in panic mode amid harvest season

Panic has once again spread across several villages in the Kamakhyanagar area of Dhenkanal district, after pugmarks of a leopard were reportedly spotted in the forest regions of Khatakhura and Bhandaria. The fresh sightings have reignited fear among villagers, particularly as the harvest season is at its peak.

Local residents said that the presence of the leopard has kept many farmers away from their fields, fearing for their safety. The situation has brought agricultural activities in the area to a near standstill.

According to reports, a bull was killed by the animal nearly 8–10 days ago, but since that incident, there has been no confirmed sighting of the animal. Despite repeated alerts from villagers, locals allege that the Forest Department has not taken any concrete steps to trace or capture the leopard.

Also Read: Panic grips Odisha’s Kamakhyanagar as locals claim tiger sighting

This inaction has triggered resentment and anxiety among the people living near the forest belt.

Villagers have now demanded immediate action from forest officials to capture and relocate the animal to a safe zone. Sources said that residents of forest-adjacent areas are spending sleepless nights amid fears of another attack.

Earlier, some villagers had also claimed to have seen the leopard near the Kankadahad Public Works Department (PWD) road close to Bhalumunda, which had caused widespread panic at the time. With multiple sightings being reported and no official confirmation of the leopard’s movement, fear continues to loom large over Dhenkanal’s rural heartland.

News