Rudrapur, Dec. 18 -- District education authorities in Champawat on Monday ordered a reduction in school hours in leopard-affected areas of the Barakot block, citing growing safety concerns following a series of leopard attacks in the region, officials said on Wednesday. Under the revised schedule, schools in the affected areas will now close one hour earlier than usual. While classes earlier ran from 9.15 am to 3 pm, schools will now close at 2 pm to ensure that students can return home before dusk. Meharban Singh Bisht, chief education officer (CEO) of Champawat, said the decision was taken after repeated requests from parents and guardians. "Guardians from leopard-affected villages approached us, stating that their children have to walk for one to one-and-a-half hours to reach home. To avoid any untoward incident, we decided to reduce the school closing time," Bisht said. The move comes amid a spike in man-animal conflict incidents in the Barakot block and adjoining areas. On Saturday, a 40-year-old woman was injured in a leopard attack in Thata village under Lohaghat. Earlier, a 42-year-old man was killed in Churani village on November 9, while another leopard attack claimed the life of a 45-year-old man in Mangoli village of Lohaghat subdivision on November 11.HTC...