Mhow (Madhya Pradesh): Residents of Malendi village near Mhow are on high alert after a tiger was sighted in the vicinity, marking its return to the area after a gap of approximately one year.
The young tiger, estimated to be around three years old, has reignited concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the area. The previous year saw a larger tiger enter the campus of the Army War College, causing considerable alarm. Following its foray into the military installation, the big cat roamed the forest areas of Mhow tehsil, specifically between Badgonda village and the popular Patalpani waterfall.
During its time in the area, the tiger reportedly killed several domestic animals. Tragically, the situation escalated when the tiger attacked and killed an elderly man from Malendi village who was grazing his cattle, leaving the community in fear.
The recent sighting has brought these past incidents back into sharp focus for the villagers. Adding to the anxiety is the known presence of tiger poachers active in this region, making the safety of the animal a paramount concern for wildlife authorities and conservationists.
Compounding these worries is the alleged irresponsible behavior of some forest officials. Sources indicate that photos and videos of the recently sighted tiger have been circulated on social media, potentially putting the animal at increased risk from poachers. Wildlife experts stress that such publicity can make the tiger vulnerable by revealing its location and patterns. Senior officials within the forest department have taken a serious view of this alleged breach of protocol. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to identify the individuals within the Mhow forest office who are responsible for circulating the sensitive material on social media. The inquiry aims to determine the extent of the information shared and to implement measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“The safety of the tiger is our utmost priority,” stated a senior forest official who wished to remain anonymous. “Circulating its images in this manner is highly irresponsible, especially given the presence of poaching threats in the area. We will take strict action against anyone found to be involved.
