A state of fear has gripped a cluster of villages in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region as a full-grown male tiger continues to roam the area, marking its presence with livestock kills and clear pugmarks over the last four days. The big cat's movement has forced residents into a lockdown after dusk, with daily life coming to a standstill.
Villages Paralyzed by Fear
The tiger is suspected to be moving in and around Khandiyapal and nearby villages under the Tokapal block, approximately 30 kilometres from Jagdalpur town. The first signs emerged four days ago when fresh pugmarks were discovered on forest tracks. The situation escalated on Tuesday when the carcass of a cow was found in the Marenga area and a wild boar was spotted injured, presumably from an attack.
Local resident Ujesh Kumar described the palpable anxiety. "People have been spending anxious and sleepless nights for days since the big cat announced its presence," he said. "By evening, everyone shuts themselves indoors. Going to the fields after dark has stopped completely, and children are not being allowed to play outside." As night falls, an eerie silence descends on Khandiyapal and neighbouring hamlets, with activities like grazing cattle and collecting firewood reduced to a trickle.
Massive Search Operation Underway
In response to the growing threat, forest department teams have launched a combined search operation with security force personnel. More than 50 personnel from the forest department and the CRPF are currently engaged in the effort. The strategy involves a multi-pronged approach:
- Deploying drones to survey the forested belt and adjoining villages from the air.
- Installing trap cameras at multiple points across the suspected corridor of the tiger's movement.
- Conducting ground patrols to match signs on the terrain with movement patterns.
Despite these intensive efforts spanning four days, the tiger has not been captured on camera even once, deepening the mystery and fear. Officials, however, have confirmed the animal's identity. Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Alok Tiwari inspected the pugmarks and verified they belong to an adult male tiger, estimated to be seven to eight years old based on their size and depth.
Creating a Safe Passage for the Tiger
Forest officials have a dual priority: ensuring villager safety while protecting the tiger. They suspect this may be the same tiger recently sighted in the Bhanpuri area, likely attempting to navigate towards the Kanger Valley National Park. It may have strayed towards human settlements while finding its route.
To resolve the crisis, the focus is on creating a "safe passage"—a secure corridor that would allow the animal to move back towards deeper forests and the Kanger Valley landscape without being harmed or forced into further conflict. Villagers within a 10-kilometre radius have been asked to remain on high alert. They have been advised not to venture out alone into the forest, avoid isolated paths, and immediately report any suspicious movement or fresh kills. A compensation case is also being prepared for the farmer whose cattle were killed.
As the search continues, the communities in Bastar live in a state of heightened alert, hoping for a peaceful resolution that secures both their lives and the future of the wandering big cat.
