In Chandrapur, a 33-year-old farmer named Ankush Khobragade tragically fell victim to a tiger attack while working on his farm. This marks the ninth incident in a string of man-animal conflicts that have afflicted the district over the last five months. The incident has raised alarm among local residents and authorities.
Ankush had been keeping watch over his crops overnight when he descended from his makeshift perch, known as a ‘machan,’ to attend to nature’s call. Within minutes, he was attacked by a tiger, which dragged his body into the nearby jungle. His brother discovered the gruesome scene later that morning, leading to unrest among villagers in Khangaon village, Chimur tehsil.
Chandrapur MLA Kishore Jorgewar expressed concern over the increasing frequency of tiger attacks, warning that it could become a significant issue in the upcoming assembly polls in eastern Maharashtra.
Efforts to manage the situation were met with resistance as villagers, grieving the loss, refused to allow access to Ankush’s remains. Range Forest Officer Kishor Deurkar tried to calm the crowd, emphasizing prior warnings about the tiger’s presence and urging vigilance.
Ankush’s family is set to receive an initial compensation of Rs. 5 lakh, with further disbursement pending official procedures.
The agricultural fields bordering the Tadoba buffer zone’s Khadsangi range have become hotspots for human-wildlife conflicts. Forest officials are contemplating capturing the tiger responsible for recent attacks. Last year, Chandrapur recorded 22 fatalities from wildlife attacks, predominantly by tigers, with one attributed to a leopard. In 2022, the district witnessed 53 casualties, predominantly by tigers, underlining the urgency for comprehensive measures to safeguard both humans and wildlife.