Tiger Attack in Pench National Park: Man with Mental Illness Killed in Core Area
A tragic incident unfolded in the heart of Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district, where a 30-year-old man undergoing treatment for a mental ailment was mauled to death by a tiger. The victim, identified as Dinesh Sewatkar, a resident of Naharjhir village located just 300 metres from the core boundary, allegedly strayed into the protected forest on Monday evening.
Forensic Evidence Points to Sudden Ambush
Investigators revealed that Sewatkar entered a natural waterhole, a critical resource point frequently used by large carnivores, including an estimated 10 tigers dominating the area. His body was first spotted by a forest patrol team around 5 pm during a routine inspection of natural water sources, a standard summer protocol to assess water availability for wildlife. Officials noted that the tiger had left the spot after hearing the team's movement.
Subsequent site examination revealed clear forensic indicators. Disturbed soil, drag marks, and blood dispersion patterns around the waterbody pointed to a sudden ambush. It appeared that Sewatkar may have been in the water with only his head and shoulders visible from behind a rock. Blood splatter at the site indicated that the tiger likely grabbed him by the head and dragged him out of the water, killing him almost instantly.
History of Illegal Entry and Warnings
Forest officials confirmed that Sewatkar had a history of entering the core area, which is strictly prohibited. He had reportedly been intercepted multiple times earlier by patrol teams and escorted back to his village, with warnings issued to his family. The family had apologised, citing his mental condition. "This is prime territory. Human entry is strictly prohibited," an official stated, emphasising the dangers of such incursions.
Villagers Riot Demanding Compensation
The incident soon escalated into a law-and-order issue. As news spread, a group of villagers gathered at the Jamtara tourism gate. Eyewitnesses said many were intoxicated, allegedly under the influence of mahua liquor. The crowd vandalised the ticket counter, damaged three vehicles, and attempted to set one on fire while pressuring forest officials to retrieve the body immediately.
Forest teams eventually launched a late-night operation and recovered the body around 2 am on Tuesday. Villagers and the victim's family have demanded Rs 25 lakh in compensation, citing a recent announcement by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. However, officials clarified that the amount has not yet been formally notified, and compensation is currently governed by existing conflict relief packages.
Compensation and Legal Provisions
Officials also stated that there is no provision for compensation in cases where deaths occur inside core areas, as entry into such zones is illegal. However, to maintain law and order, authorities are processing a proposal to grant Rs 8 lakh ex gratia. Piyush Goyal, deputy director of Pench, said, "Our focus is to maintain law and order to ensure safety and security of both humans and wildlife."
Second Human Casualty in Four Months
This is the second human casualty reported in Pench in the last four months. In a previous case on April 1, a man was killed by a tiger in the buffer area while collecting mahua. The incidents highlight ongoing human-wildlife conflicts in the region, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement and community awareness to prevent such tragedies.
