Farmer Mauled by Tiger in Pilibhit Village Sparks Outrage Against Forest Department

A tiger fatally attacked a farmer on Sunday, sparking outrage among villagers towards the forest department. The incident took place near Chatipur village when Ram Prasad, aged 45, was tending to his sugarcane field, located about 500 metres from Haripur forest. Authorities reported that the tiger had been hiding in nearby bushes before attacking.

Villagers expressed their anger by protesting against the forest department's inability to manage the rising number of tiger attacks. This was the second deadly encounter in four days. On May 14, Hansraj, a 50-year-old farmer, was killed near Najirganj village. His body was found partially eaten in a field.

Forest Department's Response to Tiger Attacks

Haripur Range Forest Officer Shaheer Ahmad confirmed that the attack occurred in the Khutar range and stated that a team had been sent to investigate. Divisional Forest Officer Bharat Kumar mentioned that efforts are underway to capture the tiger responsible for these attacks. A team has been deployed to track it down.

Local residents have accused the forest department of failing to manage the situation effectively. They claim that tigers frequently wander into agricultural fields and residential areas. Despite repeated incidents, no significant measures have been taken to address this issue.

Authorities' Efforts and Villagers' Concerns

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ajit Pratap Singh and Circle Officer Pragati Chauhan visited the site of the attack. They urged villagers not to block the Pilibhit-Puranpur highway as a form of protest. Meanwhile, Sehramau North Station House Officer Sanjay Kumar Singh stated that Ram Prasad's body was sent for post-mortem examination.

The villages of Haripur Kishanpur, Najirganj, and Chatipur are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Khutar range. These areas have become hotspots for tiger encounters because of their open borders with the forest.

Tiger Population in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

According to forest officials, there are over 70 tigers residing in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. This dense population increases the likelihood of tigers straying into nearby human settlements. Villagers have voiced concerns over their safety, stating that big cats roam freely near their homes.

The recent attacks highlight an urgent need for effective management strategies to prevent further incidents. Ensuring safety for both humans and wildlife is crucial in these regions where human-animal conflicts are becoming increasingly common.

With inputs from PTI