Chandrapur (Maharashtra): A 30-year-old woman named Bhuvaneshwari Bhendre was killed by a tiger on Monday morning in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district. Bhendre, a resident of Bhadurni village, was reportedly collecting tendu leaves with her family when the tiger attacked her around 7 am. The incident occurred in the Mul forest range, located in the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), a region known for frequent human-wildlife interactions.
5th Fatality In Chandrapur Due To Tiger Attacks Reported In Just 3 Days
This marks the fifth fatality in just three days due to tiger attacks in the district, as reported by Mid-day. On May 10, three women were killed while collecting tendu leaves in the Sindewahi forest area. Another woman lost her life the following day in a similar attack. These consecutive deaths have triggered alarm among local communities and forest officials alike.
Forest authorities have retrieved Bhendre’s body and sent it for autopsy. Her family will receive an initial compensation package, with a final settlement to be provided after formal procedures are completed.
The spate of recent attacks is drawing attention to the dangers villagers face while venturing into forested areas for livelihood activities like tendu leaf collection during peak summer months, which coincide with increased tiger movement.
Forest Ranger Mauled To Death In Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
In a separate but equally distressing incident, a forest ranger was killed by a tiger in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Ranger Devendra Chaudhary, who was on routine patrol duty near Jogi Mahal in Zone 3 around 3 p.m. on Sunday, was suddenly attacked by a tiger near the Chhoti Chhatri area.
Witnesses reported the tiger sat on his body for nearly 20 minutes, preventing any immediate rescue. Forest staff eventually managed to drive the tiger away, but Chaudhary was declared dead upon arrival at the district hospital. The identity of the tiger involved in this attack is still unknown.
