Forest officials alarmed as tiger attacks intensify in Tadoba Andhari buffer zones
Chandrapur, May 12 – In a deeply disturbing sequence of events, a 30-year-old woman was killed by a tiger on Monday morning in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, marking the fifth fatal attack involving a big cat in just three days.The victim, Bhuvaneshwari Bhendre, a resident of Bhadurni village, was reportedly collecting tendu leaves with family members in the forest when the incident occurred. A senior forest official confirmed that the attack took place around 7 am in the Mul range, situated within the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
Bhendre’s body was recovered and sent for a post-mortem. The family will receive an initial compensation package, with the final disbursement to follow upon completion of formal procedures.
String of Fatalities Raises Concerns
The tragic incident is the latest in a series of fatal tiger encounters in the region:- May 10: Three women were killed by a tiger while collecting tendu leaves in the Sindewahi forest area.
- May 11: A 65-year-old woman lost her life in a tiger attack in the Chichpalli range, also under Mul tehsil.
- May 12: Bhendre becomes the fifth victim in just 72 hours.
Tendu Leaf Collection: A Risky Livelihood
Tendu leaves, essential for making bidis (traditional leaf-rolled cigarettes), represent a vital source of seasonal income for many forest-dwelling communities in Chandrapur. However, the onset of tendu leaf collection season has coincided with a spike in human-wildlife conflict, placing daily wage earners at significant risk.Authorities on Alert
The forest department is reportedly reviewing patrolling protocols and human activity in the buffer zones of TATR in response to the spate of attacks. Measures to mitigate further conflict, including awareness campaigns and potential restrictions on forest access during peak tiger activity hours, are being considered.The recent surge in fatal encounters has heightened anxiety among local residents, many of whom rely heavily on the forest for their livelihoods.
Forest officials continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts are made to balance conservation with community safety.