https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A Community in Fear: The Story Behind the Shooting Order of the Udaipur Leopard Crisis

In Udaipur's Gogunda area, seven people have died in leopard attacks. A controversial order allows shooting the leopard if it remains a threat, sparking debates on wildlife conservation and safety.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the heart of Udaipur, the once-vibrant Gogunda area now lay shrouded in fear. For the past month, a series of brutal leopard attacks had transformed this pastoral landscape into a hunting ground of nightmares. With the death toll rising to seven, the community teetered on the edge of panic, their daily routines disrupted by the looming threat of the elusive predator.

In response, Principal Chief Wildlife Warden Pavan Kumar Upadhyay issued a controversial order: the leopard was to be shot, but only after stringent prerequisites were met. This drastic measure sparked intense debate – why resort to such extreme action when the forest department typically protects wildlife? Is this the first time such an order has been given, or have there been similar precedents in the past? We delved into the complexities surrounding this dire situation.

Indian Masterminds interacted with Rajesh Kumar Gupta, a 1997 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer & Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) – Wildlife in Rajasthan, as well as Ajay Chittora, a 2012 batch the IFS officer & Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Udaipur North, to gain deeper insight into this complex case.

THE FIRST ATTACK

The first attack occurred on September 1, when a 16-year-old girl named Kamala Gameti was snatched from the safety of her village, Undithal. That same day, Khumaram Gameti, a 45-year-old man, met a similar fate in Bhewadia. The news spread like wildfire, igniting a palpable sense of dread. Families kept their children close, doors barred, and whispers of the “man-eating leopard” grew louder with each passing day.

The leopard was cunning, moving through the shadows, avoiding traps set by the forest department. Drones buzzed overhead like disturbed hornets, and cages, laden with bait, stood in silence – empty, mocking the desperation of the search teams. Over 150 personnel, including army soldiers, forest rangers, and local police, combed the dense forests, but the predator remained elusive, as if it were a ghost haunting the villages.

Days turned into weeks. Each new attack brought fresh sorrow. Hamari Bai, a 50-year-old woman from Umaria, was next on September 20. Five days later, Suraj, a young man from Kurdau, met his end standing near a field. On September 28, Gatu Bai Gurjar, aged 55, became the fifth victim, and by October 1, the toll rose to six with the death of Kamla Kunwar, a 50-year-old in Kelvon ka Kheda.

THE ORDER

As the body count climbed, the forest department reluctantly acknowledged the leopard’s terrifying transformation into a man-eater. Udaipur’s DFO, Ajay Chitoda, declared a state of emergency. For the first time in 17 years, orders were issued to shoot the leopard if it continued to threaten human lives. The decision sparked outrage among wildlife advocates, who argued that a thorough identification process was crucial before taking such drastic measures.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Gupta stated, “We are following all procedures according to the rules. As per the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s SOP, a committee was formed to address this issue. Following their recommendations, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan issued an order on October 1st. This order does not advocate shooting as the first course of action; it is a last resort. There are prerequisites for any shooting. Under this order, local forest officers, in consultation with district administration and police, will first attempt to tranquilize the leopard. If they fail to do so or if an incident occurs during the tranquilization attempt, then they will resort to shooting the animal.”

The department is committed to following all necessary procedures, and every effort is being made to capture the leopard. However, if it continues to pose a threat to the community, there may be no option left but to consider lethal measures.

IS THIS FIRST TIME?

But is this the first order to kill a leopard in Rajasthan? Mr Gupta says no; it’s not the first. Such orders have been issued before, though they occur in rare cases. He recalls that perhaps in 2018-19, there was also an order in Udaipur to kill a leopard.

Additionally, 17 years ago, orders were issued to shoot a man-eating leopard in Pratapgarh during 2007-2008. While wildlife advocates oppose this decision, they argue that, according to the SOP, the leopard should be properly identified before any lethal measures are taken. This identification process includes collecting samples of its paws, stool, and hair.

CONCERNS OF MAN-EATER

In Udaipur, villagers are terrified after within a 5 km radius. Following the tragic killing of two individuals, including a child, in Jhardol area about two weeks ago, the leopard’s movement has been noticeably absent. Local residents claim that the leopard is attacking people and mutilating their bodies. Forest department officials echo these concerns, suggesting that this leopard may have become a man-eater.

DFO Ajay said, “In an effort to monitor the situation, three cages and six cameras have been set up at key locations in Bichiwada. The first attack took place on September 19 in Undithal, part of the Chhali Panchayat in Gogunda, just 10 km from Bichiwada and 40 km from Kirat. This tragic event has sparked urgent discussions about the need for coexistence and effective conservation strategies in the region.”

COORDINATED SEARCH EFFORTS

Mr. Gupta confirmed that recent traces of the animal have been found, indicating that it is still in Udaipur. The Forest Department, alongside teams from the Army and Police, is conducting a thorough search of the entire forest to capture the leopard. Additionally, a tranquilizer team is on-site. Mr. Ajay has advised the community to remain cautious and to avoid leaving their homes alone.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Uttarakhand Forest Department Set for Major IFS Reshuffle Post Election Code Lift - Details Inside
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC BEO Recruitment 2025: Rules Amended, Legal Hurdles Cleared for 134 Vacancies - Details Inside
Former CJI DY Chandrachud
Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Vacates Official Bungalow, Shifts to Teen Murti Marg
Dr Mayank Sharma
Seasoned IDAS Officer Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes Role of Financial Advisor to the Defence Services
Raj Kumar Arora
Defence Finance Leadership Strengthened: IDAS Officer Raj Kumar Arora Takes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Real-Life Hero Honoured Onscreen: IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma Applauds ‘12th Fail’ After National Award Triumph
Department of Post
Banking Made Simpler: IPPB Rolls Out Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Inclusive Digital Access
Govt of West Bengal
West Bengal Govt Transfers 34 IFS Officers in Major Reshuffle; New Directors Appointed at Alipore & Darjeeling Zoos - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Uttarakhand Forest Department Set for Major IFS Reshuffle Post Election Code Lift - Details Inside
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC BEO Recruitment 2025: Rules Amended, Legal Hurdles Cleared for 134 Vacancies - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT