Residents of Upper Ashpir in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, have expressed growing concern following multiple reported sightings of a leopard in the vicinity of the Open Air Gym Park. The Municipal Council Sopore issued a public notice confirming leopard movement around the park since the previous day, leading to precautionary measures.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Wildlife Department has launched an investigation to confirm the leopard’s presence and movement patterns in the area. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to implement further necessary actions based on the investigation’s findings.
As a direct consequence of the reported sightings, the Open Air Gym Park has been temporarily closed to the public. This closure will remain in effect until the presence of the wild animal is definitively confirmed or refuted. The Municipal Council Sopore is appealing to residents for their cooperation and is urging them to refrain from unnecessary movement towards the park area during this period.
The advisory specifically targets parents, strongly recommending against bringing children to the park until further notice due to the potential risks involved. All residents have been asked to maintain a heightened state of alert and to promptly inform the concerned authorities should they observe any further signs of leopard activity.
This precautionary step follows a period of increased unease regarding leopard activity in Sopore and surrounding districts. Earlier in the year, leopard-related incidents in the Sopore region had similarly heightened safety concerns among the local population, prompting similar advisories from authorities.
A spokesperson for the Municipal Council Sopore emphasized that public safety is the administration’s paramount priority. The council has appealed to the community to work closely with the administration and the Wildlife Department until the situation is fully managed and brought under control. Authorities are also advising residents to remain vigilant and to avoid circulating unverified information pertaining to the animal’s presence to prevent undue panic.
The Chenab Times News Desk