Mussoorie, Oct. 14 -- The Pauri Garhwal district administration and the forest department have stepped up efforts to capture leopards creating panic in several villages of Pauri Garhwal, including Dhyula, Devkundai, Pokhra, and Akeshwar block. Officials said more than 16 cages and several camera traps have been installed to monitor the movement of wild animals in these areas. The intensified operation is being carried out under the directives of Cabinet Minister and Chaubattakhal MLA Satpal Maharaj, who intervened following repeated appeals from villagers living under constant fear of leopard attacks. Maharaj directed the Pauri District Magistrate and forest officials to immediately install sufficient traps in leopard-affected villages of Pokhra and Akeshwar blocks. Abhimanyu Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Pauri, said, "Quick response teams have been formed in every forest range of the affected areas. Over 16 cages have already been installed, and more will be added soon. Forest personnel are maintaining close surveillance on leopard movement with the help of camera traps." The DFO added that patrolling has been intensified after recent incidents of leopard attacks that injured two villagers in the Pokhra region. Besides leopards, reports of wild bear sightings have also caused anxiety among residents. According to Singh, heavy monsoon rains this year have led to the growth of dense vegetation near human settlements, providing cover for leopards to stray closer to villages. "As the bushes dry out after Diwali, leopard movement near human habitations is expected to decline," he said. On Saturday, Minister Satpal Maharaj held discussions with the Pauri District Magistrate and senior forest officials, instructing them to ensure adequate deployment of cages, tranquiliser guns, and camera traps in the most affected regions, particularly Dhyula, Devkundai, and surrounding areas of Pokhra and Akeshwar blocks. "The Forest Department is closely monitoring the situation. Tranquiliser guns have been provided to the teams, and patrolling has been increased," said Maharaj. He urged villagers to stay alert and cooperate with the authorities. The forest and district administration, in coordination with the police, have also appealed to residents to follow safety advisories and report any leopard movement immediately. A coordinated monitoring and response system has been put in place to ensure public safety in the affected areas....