A tragic incident of human-wildlife conflict occurred in the buffer zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district, where a 50-year-old woman was killed and two others were injured after a tiger entered a settlement late Saturday night. The tiger attacked residents who were sleeping outside their homes. The animal was later discovered dead inside a house in the same village, where it had taken shelter. Forest officials are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the cause of its death.
Details of the Attack
The tiger attacked Phoolbai (48) while she was sleeping in the courtyard of her house in Kherba Tola village, located in the Panpatha buffer zone. She died on the spot. The tiger also mauled two other villagers, identified as Dasaiyya and Phulla, who were admitted to the hospital in critical condition.
After the attacks, the tiger reportedly entered a house and remained there throughout the night, despite villagers gathering outside. By Sunday morning, the animal was found dead inside the house.
Forest Officials' Response
Samita Rajora, a forest official, stated, "We are waiting for the autopsy report for more details," adding that the exact reason behind the tiger's death is not yet known. According to villagers, panic spread soon after the tiger attacked Phoolbai and remained in the area instead of retreating into the forest. Residents said the animal continued roaring near homes before entering a house and taking shelter inside.
Forest officials noted that the tiger did not move out despite the growing crowd and commotion outside. Rescue teams from the tiger reserve were deployed overnight to monitor the situation and secure the area, while villagers were advised to stay indoors.
Villagers' Anger and Clash with Forest Staff
The incident sparked anger among local residents, who allegedly attacked members of the forest department team, accusing authorities of failing to prevent repeated wildlife attacks in villages bordering the reserve. During the violence, Range Officer Prateek Srivastava sustained a head injury, while Pataur Ranger Anju Verma was allegedly assaulted. A forest guard and a deputy ranger were also injured during the clash. The injured forest personnel were admitted to Manpur hospital. Additional police and forest staff were later deployed to bring the situation under control and prevent further unrest.
Government Response and Compensation
Following the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed condolences over the woman's death and announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved family. He also directed officials to ensure free medical treatment for the injured and provide compensation to them.
Recurring Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Region
Officials said villages in the Panpatha landscape remain vulnerable to wildlife movement because of their proximity to forested areas. An alert has been issued in nearby villages, while forest teams continue to monitor the situation. The region has witnessed several cases of human-wildlife conflict in recent weeks. On May 3, Rajju Kol (46), a resident of Kudri village, was killed in a tiger attack in the Panpatha core zone while collecting mahua flowers and firewood. On May 11, Nirsia Baiga was injured in a tiger attack in the Manpur buffer zone while collecting tendu leaves. Another villager, Dharmendra, suffered severe injuries in a tiger attack on May 12, while a woman was killed in Kudri village on May 16 in another tiger encounter.
Authorities continue to urge caution and are working to mitigate further conflicts in the region.
