UP: Farmer mauled to death by leopard in Katarniaghat Wildlife Division

Bahraich, Jul 11 (PTI) A farmer was mauled to death by a leopard in the dense forest of the Kakarha range within the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division of Bahraich district, officials said on Saturday. The farmer's mutilated body was found inside the forest at around 10 pm on Friday, officials said. Apurva Dixit, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Katarniaghat Wildlife Division, told PTI that Dashrath Yadav (in his late 40s), a resident of Dharmpur Bejha village, had gone to the forest to graze his buffaloes on Friday afternoon. When Yadav did not return home late at night, his family informed the Forest Department and the police. A search operation involving villagers, police, and forest personnel was launched, and the farmer's body was recovered around 10 pm roughly a kilometre inside the forest, he said. Based on multiple wounds found on the body and the circumstantial evidence, it was concluded that he had been killed in a leopard attack, DFO Dixit said, adding that the body has been sent for post-mortem. Formalities are being completed to provide the deceased's family with the government-sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh. The forest official added that the department is investigating the matter. Villagers living near the forest are being continuously advised not to venture into the dense forest unless absolutely necessary, and to avoid going alone even if such a visit is required. Departmental teams are conducting regular surveillance in the area to prevent any further incidents, officials said. PTI COR NAV NB NB