States » WestPosted at: Sep 30 2026 8:18PM


Maha: Leopard trail found in Gondia residential area, forest Dept on alert

Gondia, Sep 30 (UNI) Forest officials have intensified surveillance in Maharashtra’s Gondia city after suspected leopard pugmarks was found in a residential locality, prompting the installation of trap cameras and cages as a precautionary measure.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Vijay Dhande said residents of Gaurinagar reported spotting a leopard in the area.
Following the alerts, the forest department deployed a rescue team and installed two cages along with camera traps to monitor and capture the animal if required.
Officials said pugmarks and other field evidence indicated the presence of a big cat in the vicinity.
Residents have been advised to avoid moving alone during late hours and to ensure that children remain indoors as a safety measure.
The development has revived memories of earlier wildlife incursions into the city.
Officials recalled that a tiger had wandered close to the collector’s office a few years ago, while a sloth bear was recently sighted in a residential neighbourhood.
Meanwhile , officials said a team of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur division, arrested two persons from Sadak Arjuni tehsil of Gondia district after allegedly recovering a leopard skin from their possession.
The accused were identified as Dhanraj Ramlal Uikey (38) and Neelkanth Ramchandra Pandre (35).
Preliminary investigations suggest that the duo was attempting to sell the skin when they were apprehended.
A local court has remanded both accused to forest department custody until October 6. Further investigation is in progress, officials added.
UNI PK CDS
Tags: #Maha: Leopard trail found in Gondia residential area# forest Dept on alert
More News

Pune residential market expands towards Vadgaon

01 Oct 2026 | 5:41 PM

Pune, Oct 1 (UNI) Pune’s residential market continued to remain active in the first half of 2026, with housing demand expanding across both established and emerging residential corridors, including the Sinhgad Road–Vadgaon belt.

see more..

PETA India moves SC seeking return of elephant Madhuri to Vantara

01 Oct 2026 | 5:36 PM

Kolhapur, Oct 1 (UNI) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has approached the Supreme Court seeking its intervention for the relocation of elephant "Madhuri" from Nandani Math in Kolhapur to Vantara, alleging that the temple premises are unsuitable for her long-term welfare.

see more..

Maha: Shinde appeals for simple celebrations, urges diversion of festival funds to drought-hit farmers

01 Oct 2026 | 5:34 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today appealed to people, Shiv Sena functionaries and social organisations to celebrate the upcoming Navratri and other religious and cultural festivals in a simple manner and divert the saved money towards helping drought-affected farmers.

see more..

Shinde appeals for simple Navaratri celebrations, urges that money saved be used to help drought-hit farmers

01 Oct 2026 | 5:32 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed to people, Shiv Sena functionaries and social organisations to celebrate the upcoming Navratri and other religious and cultural festivals in a simple manner and divert the money saved towards helping drought-affected farmers.

see more..

Nashik: Chemical waste discharge raises health concerns for 25,000 residents in Ambad’s Ward 27

01 Oct 2026 | 5:22 PM

Nashik, Oct 1 (UNI) The health of nearly 25,000 residents in Ward 27 of Ambad is reportedly at risk due to the alleged discharge of chemical wastewater from electroplating industries into local drains. Residents claim that the yellowish effluent is contaminating groundwater, affecting the quality of water drawn from wells and hand pumps. .

see more..