Leopard Spotted on Foggy Charmadi Ghat Road; Forest Department Issues Strict Warning to Tourists Amid Monsoon

Share

Share

Share

Share

Email

Share

Belthangady : A wild leopard was recently spotted lounging near a retaining wall on a sharp bend of the scenic Charmadi Ghat road, which connects Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts. The sudden appearance of the predator under the jurisdiction of the Mudigere Forest Range has triggered deep concern among forest officials. This route sees a massive volume of daily vehicular traffic, which scales up significantly during weekends as monsoon enthusiasts flock to the region to witness its natural beauty.

The onset of the monsoon has brought heavy rains and a thick blanket of fog across the entire mountain pass, severely reducing road visibility for motorists. In these dense, misty conditions, wild animals blending into the roadside vegetation or forest edges become virtually invisible until the very last moment. Forest authorities have strongly emphasized that the combination of blinding fog and the presence of a leopard poses an extreme safety hazard.

In light of this imminent danger, the Forest Department has issued a stern advisory urging commuters and tourists to exercise utmost caution. Travelers are strictly warned against parking their vehicles on the ghat road or stepping outside to capture photographs and selfies. Failing to adhere to these safety protocols under current weather conditions drastically increases the risk of a fatal wildlife encounter.