A tragic incident in the serene hills of Nainital has highlighted the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region. A 35-year-old woman lost her life after being attacked by a big cat on Friday morning.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim, identified as Hema Devi, was collecting fodder near her house in Dini Talli village within the Dhari block. According to reports, the predator ambushed her, dragged her into the nearby forest, and inflicted fatal injuries. Despite immediate and frantic rescue attempts by her family members and fellow villagers, she could not be saved.
Officials from the forest department rushed to the spot upon receiving the alert. After a search operation, they recovered Hema Devi's body from a location approximately 4 kilometers inside the dense forest. The department has provided Rs 10 lakh in compensation to her bereaved family. Hema Devi, who was the primary breadwinner, supported her husband Gopal Singh and their three children by selling dairy products and seasonal produce from their farm.
Local Anger and Official Response
The attack has sparked fear and anger among the local residents. Villagers stated that wildlife attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, posing a severe threat to both human safety and agriculture. They revealed that the same big cat had been responsible for killing livestock in the past. Alleging negligence, locals claimed that their repeated pleas to the authorities for preventive measures had gone unanswered. They are now demanding intensified forest patrols and the immediate capture of the dangerous animal.
In response, DFO Nainital, Akash Gangwar, outlined the steps being taken by the department. "We are setting up cage traps in the area and have deployed veterinary doctors for tranquilisation purposes," he said. The department is also installing camera traps to monitor animal movement. Furthermore, samples collected from the site are being sent to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for analysis and testing to identify the species involved.
Broader Ecological Context and Concerns
The geographical location of the incident adds a critical layer to the crisis. The area is ecologically connected to the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary and the famed Corbett Tiger Reserve. This connectivity, while vital for wildlife corridors, brings large predators closer to human settlements. Officials have confirmed that the presence of a tiger in the zone cannot be ruled out, raising serious questions about long-term mitigation strategies.
This fatal attack underscores the urgent need for a robust and proactive strategy to manage human-wildlife interface in Uttarakhand. It highlights the daily risks faced by communities living on the frontiers of forested areas and calls for a balanced approach that ensures both conservation and community safety.
