Wonder of wonders, there is a female leopard on the prowl, seen in our campus for quite sometime now along with her two cubs. Seen at first atop hills surrounding the campus, it later started venturing out, perhaps on the look out for food for the cubs. People's apprehension knew no bound and evening walk has become a thing of the past. As the campus was a big forest earlier, and trees have been mauled down to build this concrete world, the wild inhabitant's life became jeopardized and they had to hibernate in whatever small forest area that remained within the campus. Now that food is getting scarcer, in spite of the danger involved, they venture into human territory. As of now, the leopard has not harmed a soul but as a tiger is a tiger, people are paranoid. Oblivious to all these commotions however, the leopard is roaming around, sometimes seen sitting leisurely on the roadside or sometimes mistakenly entering half constructed quarters. Our quarter is located near a small wetland and I for one is wishfully thinking that perhaps the leopard will frequent the wetland at night at least once and I could see it for real. But till now, luck is eluding me..I can visualize in my mind's eye what a spectacular scene it would create, the spotted beast amidst pristine green and sparkling water..I have seen only deers amidst greenery and that picture is still imprinted on my mind..roaming free spirited wild animals with their multi hued colors, seen in the wilderness is a million dollar view and I would thank the almighty a thousandth time when i am blessed from experiencing such a view..that too from my own balcony...
