India, June 14 -- Ever since two male leopards, resident in the Sukhna Wildlife sanctuary, were camera-trapped in November 2025, apprehension has hung over the Sukhna Lake Reserve Forest/Nature Trail situated along the waterbody's northern bank. A section of citizens, including those from elite society, confused the sanctuary with the lake and circulated unfounded rumours via WhatsApp and social media that the Nature Trail was not a safe area and had been closed due to the detection of two leopards.

Fact is, the sanctuary and the lake forest are two distinct geographic areas with no contiguity. The sanctuary lies on the north-eastern boundary of Chandigarh, occupying 25.98 sq km, whereas the forest on the lake's northern banks is a thin,...