IT firm Cognizant issues advisory to Hinjewadi employees on leopard encounters

Pune: Against the backdrop of recent reports of leopard sightings in various areas, an IT firm based in the city has now issued an advisory to its employees in Hinjewadi concerning potential wildlife encounters.

IT firm Cognizant issued a general advisory to its employees as a precaution, although there have been no leopard sightings in the IT Park recently, said Shankar Salkar, deputy head operations, Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA). The association has not issued a separate advisory for the employees.




"Local authorities and wildlife officials have reported an increase in leopard sightings in and around Pune, including areas close to office campuses, residential neighbourhoods, and forested patches. As a precautionary measure, please follow the guidelines below to ensure your safety and prevent any untoward incident," the company's advisory said.

Some recommendations include avoiding visiting the campus in Phase 2 during late evenings, nights, and early mornings. The company has also recommended opting for office transport, carpooling, or shared cabs instead of walking and avoiding shortcuts through bushy, wooded, or isolated areas. The instructions also include immediate reporting of any unusual animal movement to the security team.

Residents of Pune had cited some worries after leopard sightings were reported in Aundh, Pashan and Bavdhan, besides a slew of fake videos and rumours circulating for many weeks now. IT employee Anish Avinash, who stays in Aundh, said, "I even received phone calls from relatives in Delhi when they heard about the leopard sightings."

On the same topic, the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) said in a post on X, "We urge all IT companies and authorities to prioritise employee safety with adequate security and transport arrangements."