A 30-year-old man was killed in a tiger attack in Jhalwar area of Kudri Beat under Panpatha Core Zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, on Saturday. The incident marks second tiger attack in the area within last 24 hours and has once again raised questions on how villagers are managing to enter areas where public access is strictly prohibited. According to officials, the incident occurred in Jhalwar area of Kudri Beat within the Panpatha Core Zone. The victim, identified as Kalyan Singh, died on the spot after being attacked by a tiger. Speaking on the incident, Anupam Sahay, Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, said that Panpatha Core Zone is a completely restricted area and no villager is permitted to enter it. Forest Department personnel rushed to the site and initiated necessary procedures. According to preliminary information, the deceased was mentally challenged.

 

He added that of the six human fatalities reported in the past month, five occurred inside the core area or in adjoining restricted sections. Authorities have been repeatedly urging local residents to avoid entering the core zone and to strictly follow safety guidelines. Forest authorities maintain that most of these incidents have taken place either inside the core area or in adjoining highly sensitive zones where entry of civilians is prohibited. The incident has once again brought attention to the issue of unauthorized access to protected areas and the growing challenge of managing human-wildlife conflict in and around Bandhavgarh Reserve. In recent weeks, incidents of human-wildlife conflict have been reported from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.