Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh) — With the Kanwar Yatra set to begin soon, a serious leopard threat is looming over the pilgrimage routes in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh. According to forest and local administration reports, more than 300 leopards are currently active in the region. These big cats have been linked to 29 deaths and hundreds of injuries in recent years, sparking heightened concern among residents and officials.
The leopards have been frequently sighted roaming near roads, sugarcane fields, and village outskirts—areas that overlap with the paths Kanwar pilgrims take during their religious journey to Haridwar and other holy sites.
Administration Launches Multi-Level Safety Measures
In response to the growing threat, the district administration, in coordination with the forest department and police, has implemented the following precautions:
- Drone surveillance to monitor leopard movements in real-time
- Increased forest patrols, especially in high-risk areas
- Warning signboards along Kanwar Yatra routes
- Public awareness campaigns urging pilgrims to travel in groups
“Kanwariyas are strongly advised not to walk alone, especially during early morning and night hours,” a district official stated.
Why Bijnor Is at Risk
Bijnor lies on a major Kanwar route that connects Haridwar to other parts of western Uttar Pradesh like Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Amroha. These areas witness lakhs of foot pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra, which makes the presence of wild animals like leopards particularly dangerous.
Sugarcane fields that line the roads are a known habitat for leopards, offering natural camouflage. This creates unpredictable encounters, especially during the early morning and evening hours when leopards are most active.
