Visitors to Surat Diamond Bourse should watch out for leopards

Surat : Next time you visit the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), the world’s largest diamond exchange located in Khajod near Surat, keep an eye out for leopards.

Two adult leopards were spotted in Budia village on NH53 in Surat, which is only 4.4 kilometres from Khajod, the world’s largest diamond exchange. In addition, Sarsana, which is directly opposite Khajod, houses the headquarters of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), as well as the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre. (SIECC).

Residents of Budia village and other nearby villages have been in a state of panic since Sunday night, when word of the presence of two adult leopards spread like wildfire. Budia village is near the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) in Sachin, as well as the SDB in Khajod.

NH53 serves as a lifeline between NH-8 and Hazira and other Surat villages. The NH53 serves as a transportation link between Surat and Mumbai, as well as between Surat and Ahmedabad and the rest of the country.

The Surat Forest Department has advised residents in the villages along the NH53, particularly Budia village, to avoid going out at night. Man-eater leopards are on the prowl along the NH53 corridor. To catch the man-eaters leopards, the forest department has set up cages in strategic locations throughout Budia village.

According to sources, the leopards have yet to attack any animal or person in Budia village. Leopards may be hiding in sugarcane fields and changing locations to avoid detection by humans.