Chhattisgarh Forest Attacks: Two Elderly Killed, One Injured in Separate Wild Animal Encounters
Raipur: In a series of tragic incidents across Chhattisgarh, wild animal attacks have resulted in the deaths of two elderly individuals and left another critically injured. All victims were engaged in collecting forest produce when the attacks occurred, highlighting the dangers faced by villagers during the mahua collection season.
Elephant Attack Claims Life of 65-Year-Old Man in Koriya
A 65-year-old man named Arjun Baland lost his life in an elephant attack on Sunday while collecting mahua fruits in the Janakpur park area of Koriya district. Baland, whose house was situated close to the Khadghat forest, regularly ventured into the woods as part of his routine to gather forest resources including wood, fruits, and flowers.
His body was discovered on Monday morning by villagers who were walking toward their fields. The incident has left the local community in shock and mourning.
Rabid Wild Cat Attack Leads to Fatal Rabies Infection in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi
In a separate and particularly distressing case, a 65-year-old woman identified as Matin Kunwar died from rabies weeks after being attacked by a rabid wild cat in the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi region. According to family members, the attack occurred approximately 20 to 25 days prior when Kunwar had gone to a nearby forest near Pangawan early in the morning to gather mahua.
Her daughter-in-law, Shakuntala, reported that the woman's condition progressively worsened over subsequent days. During recent spells of rain and lightning, she exhibited signs of acute distress that doctors later confirmed were consistent with rabies symptoms, including hydrophobia and sensitivity to light.
Tragically, the family initially sought treatment from a traditional healer known as a 'baiga' rather than pursuing immediate medical care. By the time Kunwar was finally taken to the district hospital on April 15 and administered her first dose of anti-rabies vaccine, the virus had already spread throughout her body. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she succumbed during treatment on Sunday.
Bear Attack Leaves 75-Year-Old Woman Critically Injured in Balrampur
Meanwhile, in Balrampur district, a 75-year-old woman named Ramunia Bai sustained critical injuries after being attacked by a bear while collecting mahua flowers in a forested area near Sitarampur para. According to official reports, a female bear accompanied by two cubs suddenly appeared and launched the attack, leaving Bai seriously wounded.
Other villagers who were with her at the time fled the scene to save themselves but later returned to alert family members and local residents. Ramunia Bai was promptly transported to the district hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Medical authorities have described her condition as critical.
Growing Concerns Over Human-Animal Conflicts During Mahua Season
These consecutive incidents have spread considerable fear throughout the affected areas, with villagers expressing deep concern over the increasing frequency of human-animal encounters during the mahua collection season. This period sees regular forest entry by locals gathering valuable forest produce.
Deputy Ranger Shiv Prasad, who inspected the attack sites, emphasized the need for caution, advising locals to prevent themselves from venturing unnecessarily into forest zones. In response to the tragedies, villagers have demanded continuous patrolling in vulnerable areas and stronger preventive measures from the forest department to protect residents from future wild animal attacks.
The forest department faces mounting pressure to implement effective strategies that balance ecological conservation with community safety, particularly during seasons when forest dependency peaks.
