Residents of Almora district in Uttarakhand are living in fear after two separate big cat attacks left one woman dead and another seriously injured. The incidents have triggered angry protests, with villagers demanding immediate action from authorities to address the escalating human-animal conflict in the region.
Tragic Death Near Corbett Tiger Reserve
The fatal attack occurred on Wednesday in the village of Kholyo Kyari, located close to the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Bachuli Devi, aged 60, had gone into the forest approximately one kilometer from her home to collect fodder. She was accompanied by other women from the village, who were foraging at a distance.
When Bachuli Devi failed to return after several hours, her family and fellow villagers launched a search. The grim discovery began with finding one of her slippers. Later, they recovered her mutilated body from the forest. Forest officials confirmed that more than half of her body was missing. It could not be immediately determined whether a tiger or a leopard was responsible for the attack.
"The incident has left the entire area in a state of shock," said Forest Range Officer Umesh Pandey. He assured that intensive monitoring and combing operations are now underway. Wildlife experts were summoned to examine pugmarks for identification. Forensic evidence, including hair samples from the victim's body, has been collected and sent to Dehradun for analysis. Authorities are also attempting to gather saliva samples for DNA testing to conclusively identify the animal.
Villagers Block Highway in Protest
Angered by the tragic death, villagers blocked the Mohan–Ranikhet–Khairna state highway on Wednesday. Their primary demand was for the forest department to declare the animal a 'man-eater' and eliminate it. Protests resumed with another road blockade on Thursday, escalating tensions in the area.
Senior officials, including the Divisional Forest Officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and police personnel, rushed to the spot to negotiate with the protestors. The demonstration concluded only after officials gave assurances of strict action and promised to enhance safety measures for villagers living on the forest fringe.
Second Attack Injures Woman in Syalde Block
In a separate incident under the Syalde development block, a 37-year-old woman survived a leopard attack. The attack took place in Jackna Tok of Udaipur gram sabha, where the woman had ventured only about 300 meters from her home to collect grass.
Hearing her screams, villagers rushed to her aid and managed to rescue her from the animal. She was promptly taken to the community health centre in Deghat, where she is currently receiving treatment for her injuries.
The twin attacks have significantly heightened fear and anxiety among residents of numerous forest-edge villages across Almora district. Locals are now vocally demanding long-term, sustainable solutions from the government and forest department to prevent such human-animal conflicts and ensure their basic safety. The incidents underscore the persistent challenge of coexistence in regions where human settlements and wildlife habitats increasingly overlap.
