Connect with us

National

Endangered Snow Leopards in Gangotri National Park at Risk from Canine Encounters

Published

on

The rare snow leopard population in Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand, faces a serious threat due to attacks by dogs targeting their prey. In response, the State Forest Department is planning to sterilize these dogs to safeguard the food sources essential for the survival of snow leopards in the park.Dogs have emerged as a significant danger to snow leopards in Gangotri National Park by decimating the primary prey that sustains these majestic animals. They have been consistently killing red foxes, Himalayan gorals, bharals, and other wildlife critical to the leopards’ diet. The increasing number of dog attacks on wildlife has raised alarms among park officials. Concerned about the diminishing prey, the management is now formulating a plan to sterilize the dog population in collaboration with the State Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Earlier, following a request from Gangotri National Park’s management, WII conducted a study on the alarming growth of the dog population in the area. Their findings led to recommendations for sterilization to prevent future increases in the dog population that endanger snow leopards by impacting their food supply.

State forest officials in Dehradun confirmed that Gangotri National Park is developing an action plan for sterilizing the dogs, with guidance from both WII and the State Forest Department.

Gangotri National Park is known as a habitat for the elusive snow leopard, a species typically found at altitudes above 3,000 meters in the Himalayas. According to records from the State Forest Department, the current snow leopard population in the park is approximately 40.

In the high-altitude Himalayan terrain, the key prey for snow leopards includes bharals, kakars, Himalayan gorals, and various herbivores. However, these food sources have been steadily diminishing due to the rising dog population in the park. The dogs primarily scavenge near the camps of the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Border Road Organisation.

With the dog population substantially increased, they are now frequently preying on the animals that serve as food for snow leopards. Numerous dog attacks have been recorded by camera traps set up by WII within the national park. This evidence has prompted WII experts to advocate for reducing the dog population to help restore the leopards’ prey base in the park’s ecosystem. WII has also expressed concerns that a depleted prey base could jeopardize the survival of snow leopards, potentially leading to their extinction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

on

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

Continue Reading

National

8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

Published

on

Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

Continue Reading

National

75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

Published

on

Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

Continue Reading

Trending