Leopard sighted in tea garden

Scared workers stopped plucking tea leaves and informed foresters have visited the spot to lay a trap to catch the animal

Representational image.

TT Bureau   |   Jalpaiguri/Siliguri   |  21.11.21: A leopard was sighted at a small tea plantation in Shobhabhita area of Jalpaiguri Sadar block on Saturday morning.

Scared workers stopped plucking tea leaves. Foresters have visited the spot and have laid a trap to catch the animal.

“Around 7.30am, as we went to the plantations, we saw the animal. We immediately informed the garden’s manager who in turn called up forest officials. The leopard has strayed into the plantations and hence we are feeling unsafe,” said Manoj Roy, a worker.

Plucking has come to halt at the tea garden and also in some adjoining plantations.

A team from Belakoba forest range under Baikunthapur forest division reached the spot and set up a trap.

“People have been asked to be on the alert. We hope the leopard will soon walk into the trap,” said Neela Rai, the range officer of Belakoba forest range.  

In Siliguri, foresters of Sarugara range under Baikunthapur forest division foiled the smuggling of three Ganges softshell turtles on Saturday. Three persons from Bhagalpur, Bihar, have been arrested.