lucknow: A tragic incident unfolded in the Mala Forest range of Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, as a farmer fell victim to a tiger attack. The partially consumed remains of the farmer were discovered approximately 1.5 kilometers from the core forest area on Wednesday.
According to the village pradhan, Bharat Lal, concern arose when the farmer did not return home by late evening. A search operation involving villagers, police, and forest officials was promptly launched. Shockingly, the search party stumbled upon a distressing scene—an active tiger was devouring the body of the farmer. The tiger’s aggressive behavior included roaring and dragging the body for a short distance before retreating into the jungle. The search team’s loud noises were effective in scaring the predator away.
This incident marks the second fatal encounter between humans and tigers in the area, with the first occurrence taking place on June 27. During that incident, a 50-year-old farmer named Lalta Prasad, hailing from the same village, tragically lost his life to an adult tiger while attending to his crops during the late hours. The tiger had consumed a significant portion, accounting for over 80 percent, of the victim’s body.
Naveen Khandelwal, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), expressed uncertainty regarding whether the same tiger was responsible for both incidents. He pointed out that the recent occurrence appeared to have transpired within the forested area, raising questions about the motive behind the tiger dragging the body 1.5 kilometers if the attack initially happened in the victim’s agricultural field.
Addressing the aftermath, Khandelwal noted that compensation typically isn’t provided for human casualties resulting from tiger attacks within the core forest region. However, in light of the deceased farmer’s humble background—owning less than half an acre of land—the case will be brought to the attention of the state administration on compassionate grounds.
The incidents shed light on the delicate coexistence between the human population and the wildlife in the region, prompting a deeper consideration of conservation efforts and community safety measures.