Shimla, Jan 22,
A fully grown leopard was caught on CCTV entering a residential house in Navbahar on the outskirts of Shimla late Wednesday night, triggering panic among residents and once again highlighting the growing threat of human–wildlife conflict in the state capital.
According to CCTV footage that has surfaced, the leopard entered the residential building at around 11:23 pm on January 21. The visuals show the animal calmly climbing the staircase and reaching the second floor of the house. There was no sign of aggression or panic in its movement. After failing to find any prey, the leopard quietly descended the stairs and exited the building.
The house is reportedly owned by Nandini Pathania. At the time of the incident, all members of the family were present inside the house. Fortunately, the leopard did not harm anyone, averting what could have been a major tragedy in the densely populated locality.
This is not the first such incident in Shimla. On earlier occasions, leopards have been caught on CCTV cameras preying on pet dogs in residential areas of the town. However, residents said this was the first time a leopard was seen entering a multi-storey residential house in the Navbahar area, which is surrounded by forest cover.
The incident has caused fear and anxiety among local residents, especially working people who return home late at night. Leopard sightings on roads and streets in Navbahar and nearby localities have become increasingly frequent in recent years, raising serious safety concerns.
Following the incident, locals demanded immediate response from the Forest Department. They urged the authorities to intensify night patrols, monitor leopard movement, and take concrete preventive measures to stop wild animals from entering residential areas. Residents have also been advised to remain alert and avoid venturing out late at night.
The incident has revived painful memories of past leopard attacks in Shimla. In 2021, two children were killed in separate incidents—one seven-year-old girl abducted from Kanlog on August 5, and four-year-old Yograj taken from Downdale on November 5 while playing outside during Diwali.
The latest episode underline the urgent need for a long-term and coordinated strategy to address the increasing human–leopard conflict in Shimla.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
