Tiger strikes again in TATR: Woman killed in attack

Chandrapur: A 54-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger in the forest under Palasgaon buffer forest range near Karbada village in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve on Wednesday morning. This marks the sixth human fatality in tiger attacks in the last five days, with the death toll in feline attacks climbing to 19, this year in the district.

The deceased, Kachrabai Arun Bharade, had entered the forest with her husband around 8 am to collect tendu leaves—a seasonal livelihood for many rural families. As she was picking leaves in Compartment No. 862, a tiger lurking in the bushes pounced on her. Her husband, hearing her screams, witnessed the tiger dragging her away and alerted the villagers. Her body was later found in a pool of blood.

Enraged villagers initially refused to allow the body to be moved, demanding compensation, fencing around the village, and a government job for the victim's son. The situation was brought under control after intervention by forest and police officials. The body was sent for post-mortem to Chimur Sub-District Hospital. The department provided an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the bereaved family.

With nearly 300 tigers in the district and tendu collection season in full swing, human-wildlife conflict has escalated. MLA Kishor Jorgewar held a meeting with forest officials and demanded immediate measures to curb the predator attacks. He has called for 24x7 forest patrolling and local informant networks to track tiger movement.