Driven by thirst, big cats seek out village wells in M’rashtra

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, May 1

With most parts of Maharashtra reeling under drought, wild animals like tigers and leopards are moving out of forest areas and into bordering villages in search of water, according to information available from the state forest department.

“With water sources in the forest drying up, wild animals like tigers and leopards are moving towards village wells,” Arun Goud, a Range Forest Officer from Chandrapur district said. The area borders the Andhari-Tadoba forest reserve which is home to Maharashtra’s tigers.  Tribals who live in the villages bordering the forest reserve have reported sightings of the big cat to the rangers, according to Goud. 

This has led to worsening of man-animal conflicts in these areas. Last week, 45-year-old Kavdu Masram, a resident of Jatlapur village in this district, was mauled to death by a tiger which had wandered into the human settlement. Forest officials feel that the tiger may have come to the village in search of water and may have been disturbed by the victim who went to answer nature’s call early in the morning. 

Officials say 12 persons have been killed by tigers this year alone in Chandrapur district.

Man-animal conflict

• With several parts of the state reeling under drought and water sources in the forest drying up, animals are entering human settlements in search of water
• Last week, a resident of Jatlapur village in Chandrapur district, was mauled to death by a tiger. Twelve persons have been killed by tigers this year in district