A tense eight-hour operation unfolded in Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district on Monday after a tiger strayed into a human settlement, injuring a villager and taking refuge inside a house before being safely captured by forest officials.
Panic in Beldi Village
The incident began around 10 am on December 29 when the big cat was first sighted entering Beldi village, located on the fringes of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The tiger walked along the edges of agricultural fields before moving deeper into the habitation by 12:30 pm, sparking widespread fear among residents.
Villagers reacted with alarm, with many climbing onto rooftops to watch the unfolding drama while others locked themselves inside their homes for safety. The situation escalated when the tiger turned aggressive after some locals attempted to surround it.
Attack and Refuge in a House
Eyewitnesses reported that the tiger attacked villager Gopal Kol, knocking him to the ground with a single pounce and injuring his leg. Kol received first aid at Barhi hospital in the neighbouring Katni district and was later referred for further treatment. A team from the tiger reserve remained with him to assist.
Following the attack, the tiger entered the house of another villager, Durga Prasad Dwivedi, and remarkably, sat down on a cot inside the dwelling. This unusual behaviour added to the challenge for the rescue teams.
Delicate Rescue Operation
The forest department was alerted around 10:30 am. A team from the Panpatha buffer zone rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area, and began monitoring the tiger's movements. Using tranquilising equipment and with support from trained staff, they conducted a cautious operation aimed at ensuring the safety of both villagers and the animal.
After sustained monitoring throughout the day, the tiger was successfully tranquilized and captured by around 6 pm. The operation was carried out under the directions of the Field Director and Deputy Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, with support from forest, revenue, and police officials.
In an official release, the forest department stated that the operation was executed by the Wildlife Health Officer and trained staff. The rescued tiger has been shifted to the Baherha enclosure of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and is under continuous supervision.
Recurring Human-Wildlife Conflict
Forest officials acknowledged that this was not an isolated incident. Villagers reported that wild animals frequently move through buffer zone villages, and residents often try to chase them away. In another recent case, a tigress that entered the Gadariya Har area of Chilhari was rescued and relocated.
Officials stated that the captured tiger will undergo a health check and behaviour assessment before being shifted as per protocol. Intensified patrolling has been ordered in villages along the buffer zone to prevent similar incidents in the future, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing human-wildlife interfaces in areas surrounding India's premier tiger reserves.
