The presence of a man-eating leopard in Damdewal range in Pauri Garhwal has forced authorities to close six primary schools in Ekeshwar Development Block in the district, District Education officer Bhupendra Singh said.
Recently, a 40-year-old shopkeeper of Esoti village in Ekeshwar development block was found dead, his body half-eaten by a leopard, 200 metres away from his shop in the fields, Singh said.
Since then, a leopard had been found lurking in the area, he said, adding, forest officials have set up traps in various places to catch the animal.
Conservator of Forest (Garhwal Division) D J Sharma said the leopard has been declared a man-eater after demand of villagers and monitoring its movements.
A hunting party will also be deployed to capture the animal, Sharma said.
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