Umaria (Madhya Pradesh): A 12-year-old boy was killed by a tiger attack on Saturday morning while collecting Mahua with his grandfather in the forests of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Vijay Kol, a resident of Pipariya, had accompanied his grandfather to collect Mahua in the forest when a tiger, hidden in dense bushes pounced on the kid. The elderly man tried to save his grandson but the wild cat dragged the child away into the forest. Few hours later, after an intense search Vijay's body was found in a drain .
As soon as the information of the incident was received, the team of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve reached the spot and started investigation. This is the third death by a tiger attack in just a span of 3 weeks.
Earlier, such incidents have also happened in Panpatha Buffer and Panpatha Core. Now this death has happened in Dhamokhar area.
Woman was hunted on April 2
On April 2, a tiger attacked a woman who had gone to collect Mahua in Chansura beat of Panpatha Core area on Wednesday morning, April 2.
Due to which she died on the spot. 27-year-old Rani Singh of Kothiya village was collecting Mahua. During this time, the tiger attacked her. The woman died on the spot.
Tigress attacked the shepherd
On March 23, a 50-year-old shepherd was grazing cattle in the North Paljha beat of Panpatha buffer zone was attacked by a tigress. He died on the spot. The incident took place at 3 pm on Sunday.
Locals plead for better protections
Locals are now pleading for better protection, proper alerts in high-risk zones, and alternative means of livelihood.
Mahua collection is not just a tradition but also a source of living for many people, meanwhile some have suggested that Mahua collection timings should be strictly regulated.
