Mussoorie, Leopard sighting in the hill-station, that too in the heart of winters is not uncommon. Yet, CCTV footage of a leopard strolling into the empty hotel lobby in Barlowganj end of town, on the evening of 8th of January, has taken everyone by surprise.

The thirty-second clip shows how a leopard walks in through the hotel’s rear-lawn adjoining the oak forest below the property and saunters through the lobby at 6:48 p.m and exits from the hotel reception. The regal animal walks calmly through the lobby without any fear, looking around. Thankfully, there was no loss to life or property, but the video went viral within hours of being shared on the social media.

A few year’s ago an adult feline was caught on a CCTV camera of the Nirankari Bhawan, on the Camel’s Back road. While, last year, pug marks of a leopard were captured on a mobile camera by a resident living in Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School.

While incidents like these are one off, but come winters and these majestic creatures move from the higher reaches to lower climes in search of food, making these sightings rather common.

If one was to go by history, then there is little to fear, assures author-photographer, Ganesh Saili, “Camel’s Back burial register recorded that a certain Clarence Thomas Wyatt died in January 1949 aged 33 and the cause of death recorded  is ‘accidentally mauled by a panther (feline family).’

None-the-less, what is sad to see is how instead of roaming about the forests, wild animals like this one, have to find pleasure in the concrete jungles that have replaced his habitat by us humans, which might in the near future, give rise to man-animal conflict, for no fault of theirs.

Here’s a link to the CCTV video:

Dehradun, In today’s day and age, when the old and young alike, are passionate about bringing about a positive change to the environment, we share with you the story of ‘Evolve,’ a young man and his teams dream to do their bit for the future.

Started a few years ago, today ‘Evolve’ has touched the lives of forty-four families residing in Tauli, Bhurd close to Vikasnagar, Dehradun. The womenfolk and abled men here assemble organic seed’s into stationary items such as paper, pencil, greeting cards, visiting cards, diaries, providing employment where its needed the most. When the use-by-date of the product expires, the stationary can be planted in pots and flower beds, which in-turn grow into a plant.

A unique concept rooted in sustainability and focused on re-usage.

Abhinav tells us more, “Plant-able Stationery is a unique idea not only to grow plants from stationery products (Pencil, paper, diaries, greetings, etc.) but also to promote people to plant and nurture. Villagers provide all these products which in-turn provides employment hence leading to a better socio economic standard.”

‘Giving used-products a fresh lease of life’ is the leitmotif of ‘Evolve.’ Watching your stationary turn into a tomato, marigold or even a green-chilli plant is something intriguing for young-minds who will grow to understand the concept of nurturing and re-use.

‘Evolve’ also makes, “customized products for companies; schools or specific event; gifts; souvenir or give-aways which will turn into either a flower, a vegetable or herb along with being creative and stylish, as per your requirement, serves a dual function,” Abhinav reiterates.

Next time you find yourself racking your brain looking for that perfect gift for a loved one, how about picking something from ‘Evolve’ and being part of a revolution that vows to make a better, brighter, greener tomorrow.

Call @ ‎+91 99277 15097 to make your order or email : [email protected]