MAPUSA
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar on Monday raised concern in the Goa Legislative Assembly over a recent incident in Carapur, Bicholim, where a leopard reportedly strayed onto a road and caused an accident involving two persons travelling on a scooter.
Raising the issue in the House, Borkar said the victims sustained injuries and the incident has triggered fear and anxiety among residents of surrounding villages. He said the episode highlights a growing concern over the increasing movement of wildlife, particularly leopards, into human settlements in several parts of Goa.
The MLA pointed out that such encounters are becoming more frequent in villages located near forested areas. He expressed apprehension that large-scale construction activities, infrastructure projects and road widening works around forest belts could be disturbing natural habitats and wildlife corridors.
According to Borkar, the disruption of these habitats may be forcing animals to venture into residential areas in search of food and shelter, leading to dangerous situations for both people and wildlife. He urged the government to investigate the Karapur incident, assess the impact of ongoing development projects on wildlife corridors, and take necessary steps to prevent human–wildlife conflicts while ensuring the safety of residents and wildlife.
