For most parts, serving as a forest officer can be a good mix of daunting and thrilling experiences. An IFS officer in Uttar Pradesh was recently greeted by a leopard as he returned home at night. As he shared a small snippet of his adventurous experience, netizens called him lucky for living in such close proximity with nature.
IFS officer Akash Deep Badhawan took to Twitter recently to share a picture of a leopard strolling in the front yard of a forest rest house. Seeing the wildcat on his path, quite naturally, he was reminded of one of Ruskin Bond’s popular short stories, ‘A Tiger in the House’.
“Like a Ruskin Bond story, met this one outside a Forest Rest House and we spent a good amount of time in each other’s company last night,” Badhawan tweeted, sharing the image of the animal taken while he was sitting inside his vehicle.
Much like in the story where the author’s grandfather found a tiger cub walking down the forest path, Badhawan was mesmerised by having a similar experience. The leopard was spotted outside a rest house in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in the Terai of the Bahraich district.
Like a Ruskin Bond story, met this one outside a Forest Rest House and we spent a good amount of time in each other’s company last night. So much wildlife history in the walls of these 120 plus years old FRH of Katarniaghat pic.twitter.com/IbIDz7pRfw
— Akash Deep Badhawan, IFS (@aakashbadhawan) May 11, 2022
The tweet soon created some buzz online where many admitted spotting a ferocious wild animal would kick the living daylight of them, others wondered if they too can visit the 120-year-old rest house tucked away in nature.
Earlier, the officer, who is posted in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, shared a small video, highlighting its “ecological wonders”. He had written “rare is common” in the area.
People often ask me what is so great about Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, I suggest a visit to discover. Presenting a glimpse of Katarniaghat from a trailer.
“Katarniaghat – Where rare is common” pic.twitter.com/P98bhV0eEY
— Akash Deep Badhawan, IFS (@aakashbadhawan) May 10, 2022
While some responded with funny takes, a few locals also joined the conversation and said they have had similar experienvces.
He came to welcome you and thank you for visiting his home.
— Fersos Daruwala (@goldchest4) May 12, 2022
all that is amazing but did you say ‘Hello’?
— Raajeshwari Singh Raghuvanshi (@countrysidelass) May 12, 2022
Wow. A surprise guest.
— Ravi Shankar (@RaviShank06) May 12, 2022
This one can be spotted easily on the roads between kakraha and mutriha at night pic.twitter.com/6CRyEtx7cz
— Suhail Khan (@suhailiqbalkhan) May 11, 2022
Want to live in this house.
And go for a post dinner walk.
— WordTale (@WordTale) May 11, 2022
Its very scary and risky….😅
— Scorpio (@Sz24076556) May 11, 2022
Megastar in the arc lights
— king-of-seasons007 رتوراج سنگھ سبعة (@RITURAJSINGH007) May 12, 2022
Are FRHs open to public? Amazing pic 😍
— Chaitanya Bharech (@cbharech) May 11, 2022
Must be searching for guest room
— Indigenous 🇮🇳 (@captsinghjs) May 11, 2022
