Leopard Sightings Trigger Alarm at Torna Fort; Forest Officials Recommend Temporary Closure

Leopard Sightings Trigger Alarm at Torna Fort; Forest Officials Recommend Temporary Closure
Recent leopard sightings at Torna Fort in Rajgad taluka have created anxiety among both tourists and locals. On Monday, January 20, a leopard was again seen near a campsite, leading the Forest Department to recommend a temporary closure of the fort for safety reasons and to assist with relocating the animal.
The latest sighting took place close to Hanuman Buruj, where visitors saw the leopard sitting out in the open. When some tried to take pictures and videos, the leopard reportedly charged at them, causing a scene of panic. Guards from the Archaeological Department, along with dogs and monkeys at the site, quickly rushed to help. Tourists and workers at the fort were swiftly moved to a safer area.
Following this, Forest Range Officer Govind Langote led a team of forest officials to the area, confirming that the leopard was hiding in the bushes near Hanuman Buruj. They noted that the leopard would retreat when disturbed by noise but would come out when the surroundings were quiet.

Due to the leopard’s behavior, forest officials have recommended limiting tourist access to the fort for two to three days, allowing the animal to leave without disturbance. They plan to formally suggest to the local tehsildar that the fort be temporarily closed to visitors.
Officer Langote mentioned that Torna Fort is part of the forested Sahyadri mountain range, which is naturally a leopard habitat. He also pointed out that tourists frequently bring dogs to the fort and leave behind food waste, which can attract predators. It’s crucial to maintain a peaceful environment at the fort to encourage the leopard to move away from the area.