Haridwar, Nov. 14 -- With the onset of winter, a sudden rise in the movement of wild animals-particularly elephants-is being reported in and around Haridwar city. In areas adjacent to the Haridwar forest division and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, wild animals are venturing out of the dense forest almost daily, entering residential settlements and agricultural fields. In the BHEL township alone, elephants have been sighted on more than four occasions over the past week along the main BHEL-Old Delhi Road, residential colonies, and major intersections. Alongside elephants, local residents have also reported sightings of leopards, sambar, and deer to the forest department control room and range officials over the last few days. BHEL, Tibdi Colony, and the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIIDCUL) estate-all falling within a 12-km radius of Haridwar city-are witnessing heightened wildlife activity. Wildlife experts warn that this movement is likely to intensify as peak winter sets in during late November and early December. Earlier, a herd of four elephants entered the Khakir Baba temple complex in the Laldhang area on November 3, a day after a lone tusker was spotted near the main BHEL stadium roundabout. "The BHEL township, which borders the forest, along with the expanding SIIDCUL industrial estate, is witnessing a rise in wildlife sightings year after year. Earlier, elephants were mostly confined to the forested outskirts of the township, but of late, they have been intruding into residential areas and main roads. It has become quite unsafe and scary to commute, especially around dawn and dusk," said Shamsher Bahadur, a resident of Shastri Nagar. In response, the forest department has intensified patrolling and launched awareness drives to sensitise local residents, commuters, and industrial employees on safety protocols. "As soon as we receive alerts about elephant movement, or when our patrolling teams spot pugmarks or jumbos, they immediately reach the site and safely drive them back into the forest. Regular round-the-clock patrolling is being ensured in all wildlife-prone areas," said Haridwar Forest Range Officer Sheesh Pal Singh....