Big cat spotted on Kalka-Shimla heritage track

Gumman (HP), December 2

Station Superintendent Sanjay Sharma draws attention of curious tourists as trains roll into the Gumman Railway Station in Himachal Pradesh's Parwanoo district.

Sharma's tryst with leopards has gained him popularity at the quaint station which is surrounded by heritage sites on the Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage track.

The 47-year-old, who has been posted here for the past four years, recounts stories of his big cat sightings to the travellers here.

"We had reported multiple sightings but the wildlife department didn't seem to believe us. So, three months back, I took a video and sent it to senior officials," he said.

His video, shot just 30 metres away from the animal, forced the wildlife department to place a cage to capture it. However, after trying for almost two months, they failed in their endeavour, he said.

Gumman Railway Station, which is 126 km by road from Kalka, falls on arguably one of the most scenic train routes of Northern India.

The latest sighting was three days ago, right on the platform of the station, when a train was coming in. "A guard saw it on the platform when the train was coming at 4 am. The animal left after picking up an injured dog," said Sharma, who has been a railwayman for the past 24 years,.

However, despite regaling sightseers with his exciting tales, he doesn't forget the dangers that accompany the big cat sightings.

The last four times the leopard came visiting, he and a pointsman (track maintenance worker) were the only two people in the vicinity of the track.

Sharma lives nearby with his wife and children and he has forbidden his son and daughter, who are both 12 years of age, from playing outside in the evenings.

"I am scared. I am responsible for my men. I can keep my children indoors, but these men have to work. Also, we are here from 3:30 am to 11:30 pm which means we are extremely vulnerable in the morning and at night.

Though I shot the video as evidence, it was a chilling experience. I have been telling my stories to tourists, but I hope they don't end up involving a tragedy," said Sharma. — PTI