REWARI: Fear over the suspected presence of a leopard in Haryana ’s Bawal area has prompted the administration of the College of Agriculture, Bawal, under Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University ( CCS HAU ), to step up safety measures. Following reports of the animal’s movement, the university has closed both boys’ and girls’ hostels, asking around 450 students to return home as a precautionary measure.




Satyajeet Yadav, principal of the College of Agriculture, CCS HAU, Bawal, said farm workers first spotted pugmarks suspected to be those of a leopard on November 7. The university administration subsequently alerted the forest department and local authorities. A forest department team inspected the premises and installed a cage near the university farm.




The university has an agricultural farm spread across nearly 300 acres, along with separate hostels for boys and girls. Around 450 students normally stay in the two hostels. Only four to five boys are currently staying in the boys’ hostel, and they have been instructed not to venture outside.




Yadav said the university had declared holidays as a precautionary measure. If the situation continues, the administration will seek approval from higher authorities to conduct online classes.




He added that Jhabua ki Beed, where the leopard has reportedly been sighted, is around 10km from the college. A road from the campus also leads towards Khatiwas village, raising concerns that the animal could move towards residential areas. The university gates are closed at 6pm, and movement is restricted until morning. CCTV cameras installed at the main entrance, hostel gates and other locations are also being monitored regularly.




In an official safety advisory dated November 9, the principal warned of the suspected movement of a wild animal, possibly a leopard, near the Phalsa Orchard adjoining Gate No. 2 of the campus. Students and staff were instructed to avoid the orchard and surrounding areas, refrain from venturing out alone, particularly during the early morning, evening and night, and stay away from isolated areas and bushes.




Girls staying in the hostel were directed to remain inside the premises, while those staying at home were advised not to visit the campus until further notice. Students were also warned against approaching, chasing, provoking or photographing the suspected animal.




District Forest Officer Ram Kumar Jangra said five camera traps had been installed in the Bawal area to monitor wildlife movement. Forest teams are keeping a close watch on the footage, which will be assessed after four to five days to establish animal movement patterns in the area.




He said wild animals are generally more active at night, making camera traps an important tool for identifying their presence and movement. Recalling an earlier incident, Jangra said a lion had entered the area around two years ago and was captured after a search operation lasting nearly one-and-a-half months.




Forest Inspector Charan Singh said five camera traps and a solar-powered camera had been installed near a pond and along the fire line in Jhabua forest. A cage has also been placed in the area, and forest personnel are conducting regular surveillance.




Bawal Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sanjeev Kumar said he had personally visited the site to review the situation. Bawal SHO Inspector Ranveer Singh said police personnel were coordinating with the forest department to monitor the area and prevent any untoward incident.




Meanwhile, around 10 temporary shelters occupied by labourers near the university campus have been removed as a precautionary measure. The workers have also been advised to remain alert.




Since the first reported signs of the leopard’s presence on November 7, residents of Bawal, Khatiwas and neighbouring areas have remained apprehensive. The forest department is relying on camera-trap footage and field surveillance to establish the animal’s location and ensure its safe capture.