Jaipur on edge as leopard sightings surge; forest dept scrambles, experts flag lapses
Even as that operation wrapped up, another leopard in Rundal Naka area of Achrol fell into a well and remained trapped for nearly two days before being rescued and shifted to Nahargarh Biological Park for observation.
Another leopard was captured on Thursday morning from a trap cage installed in Pimparkhed village, a human–leopard conflict-affected area. (File Photo)
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Leopards straying into residential areas in Jaipur have become alarmingly frequent over the past 15 days, leaving residents on the edge and exposing the forest department’s lack of long-term planning to manage the escalating crisis.
On Thursday, panic gripped Chandpol when a leopard was spotted around 8 pm. Forest officials spent nearly five hours chasing the animal through the congested lanes of the Walled City before finally tranquallising it at 1 am.
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Even as that operation wrapped up, another leopard in Rundal Naka area of Achrol fell into a well and remained trapped for nearly two days before being rescued and shifted to Nahargarh Biological Park for observation.
These incidents follow two leopard captures in Jaipur’s residential areas on November 10 and 20. Earlier, a disturbing video from Gurjar Ghati of Jaipur-Nahargarh Sanctuary showed a leopard being beaten to death by residents who panicked when the animal entered a populated area. A case has since been registered against those involved.
Forest officials admit the situation is slipping out of control. Chief Wildlife Warden, Arun Prasad told The Indian Express that the leopard population in and around the Nahargarh Sanctuary has grown, pushing the animals to explore new territory.
“We are figuring out the possible reason for it but nothing can be said with surety. Leopards can come out of the forest following prey. We are investigating the situation and will take adequate steps soon,” Prasad said.
More than 40 leopards are believed to be inhabit the 720-hectare Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and sightings have spiked sharply in November.
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Nahargarh Forest and Wildlife Protection Committee president, Rajendra Tiwari, while talking to The Indian Express said that the forest department has been negligent in its functioning.
“The boundary wall of sanctuary should be at least 10 feet, but it is just 4 feet — easy for leopards to cross. Encroachment is rampant, boundary walls have been broken for construction, and as leopard numbers rise, they will venture out to find new territory and more prey. Unless the government cracks down on encroachment, man-animal conflict will only grow,” he said.
On November 20, a leopard entered the state capital’s VVIP area, Civil Lines, and was spotted near the official bungalow of Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat.
It later entered the premises of Tiny Blossom Senior Secondary School, forcing the staff to lock the children inside classrooms for safety. After moving from one house to another and jumping over walls, the leopard was finally tranquilized two hours later.
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With sightings rising and panic spreading, Jaipur’s recurring encounters with leopards have become an urgent wake-up call – one that the forest department can no longer outrun.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
