Chandrapur Tiger Attacks: Two Villagers Killed Within 12 Hours, Human-Wildlife Conflict Escalates
In a tragic escalation of human-wildlife conflict, two villagers were killed in separate tiger attacks within a span of just 12 hours in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The incidents have intensified concerns over the rising frequency of such encounters in the region, prompting immediate action from forest and police authorities.
First Attack Claims Life of Cotton Harvester
The latest incident occurred on Saturday morning at Amte Farm in Somnath, Mul taluka. Sunita Shamrao Bhoyar, a 45-year-old resident of Maroda village, was attacked while harvesting cotton alongside other labourers. According to eyewitness accounts, a tiger suddenly emerged from bushes along the edge of the field and mauled her.
Co-workers raised a loud alarm, which forced the animal to retreat towards the nearby forest. However, Bhoyar succumbed to her injuries on the spot. The situation briefly grew tense as villagers initially refused to remove her body, demanding immediate action from authorities. The body was later transported to Mul sub-district hospital for a postmortem examination.
Second Fatality During Firewood Collection
Less than 12 hours earlier, on Friday evening, another tragic attack took place. Kashinath Shivram Lonbale, a 60-year-old from Varwat village, was killed in the Padmapur beat of the Moharli (buffer) forest range. Lonbale had ventured into compartment no. 179 near a forest stream to collect firewood when he was attacked by a tiger around 6 pm. He too died at the scene.
Authorities Respond with Urgent Measures
Forest and police teams rushed to both locations immediately after receiving information. In the Moharli case, the operation was conducted under the supervision of Range Forest Officer Santosh Thipe and Police Inspector Sandeep Ekade. Lonbale's body was sent to the District General Hospital in Chandrapur for postmortem.
Officials confirmed that an immediate relief payment of Rs 50,000 was provided to Lonbale's family. To address the growing threat, authorities have implemented several measures:
- Camera traps have been installed in vulnerable areas to monitor tiger movements at both attack sites.
- Patrolling has been intensified across the region to prevent further incidents.
- Forest departments are coordinating with local communities to enhance safety awareness.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Growing Crisis
With these two latest fatalities, the death toll from predator attacks in Chandrapur district this year has risen to six. This includes five deaths caused by tigers and one by a leopard. The situation reflects a broader trend, as data from 2025 shows 47 human kills in predator attacks across the region.
The breakdown of these attacks is particularly concerning:
- 42 deaths were caused by tigers
- 3 deaths were attributed to leopards
- 1 death each resulted from bear and elephant attacks
These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in areas where forest and human settlements intersect. The repeated attacks have left local communities fearful and demanding more effective protection measures from authorities.
