The Bomdila Forest Division has released a public advisory asking locals to use caution and refrain from traveling during vulnerable hours in response to verified reports of leopard sightings along the stretch between Dirang village tri-junction and Khonpathar Bridge under Dirang subdivision in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district.According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Obang Tayeng, an investigation conducted on February 7 by the Dirang Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge confirmed that leopards were sighted in the impacted area early on January 30. Residents of Dirang Basti and surrounding areas have been warned to stay vigilant due to possible threats to human life and animals, especially in the early morning, evening, and night.
When traveling along the section, the warning advises people to move in small groups, avoid moving alone, and make their presence known. It has been strongly recommended to use bright torches at night, choose well-lit routes, and exercise caution when near shrubs, culverts, drains, and solitary spots. Additionally, authorities issued a warning against biking or strolling past the area with headphones or loud music playing.It has been urged that children, the elderly, and other vulnerable people should not wander alone near fields, streams, forest borders, or remote roads, particularly at dawn and twilight. Elderly people and those with mobility impairments should refrain from traveling alone in dangerous regions, and parents are advised to accompany their children to and from school if their route passes through the impacted area.
Locals have been instructed not to tie cattle in open areas close to woods or other dense foliage, and to keep them within safe barns at night. Meat waste and carcasses should not be disposed of outside; pets should be kept indoors. Before discarding the carcass, the forest authority must be notified of any suspected leopard attacks on cattle.In addition, the recommendation advises people to keep their cool, refrain from running, make eye contact, and back off gradually while providing the leopard with a clear path of escape. The animal has been advised that residents should not approach, agitate, chase, or take pictures of it. Any sighting should be reported right away to the Range Forest Officer, Dirang (8413088429) or the Dirang Police Station (9436254289). Additionally, authorities warned against posting unconfirmed images, videos, or remarks on social media that can incite panic.
Villagers have been urged to increase lighting in areas that are dark, particularly close to bridges and the edges of the forest, and to remove long grass and dense shrubs from the area around homes, schools, and cow sheds as a preventative step. In the event of an attack, victims should receive first assistance and have their bleeding controlled before being taken to the closest medical facility.Following many tiger sightings in Jamupani hamlet under Hunli Circle and the surrounding areas of Lower Dibang Valley district, executive members of the All Idu Mishmi Students’ Union (AIMSU) met with Roing MLA Mutchu Mithi to voice their concerns about the dread and anxiety felt by the locals.Even after a terrible occurrence in which a Head Constable was mauled to death while returning from Anini, the team said that their ground inspection exposed significant administrative shortcomings and insufficient preventive action by the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary officials. They said that commuters and locals were left at constant risk since there was no Rapid Response Team or enough safety precautions in place.
MLA Mithi acknowledged the problem and promised to set up a meeting with the Forest Minister in Itanagar following the cycling event, which was set for February 12–15. He also invited representatives from AIMSU to attend. In order to properly address public safety issues, the delegation also called for a responsive and accountable administration, demanded a criminal investigation based on a formal complaint against the current DFO, and requested his transfer.
