A 53-year-old man was killed in a suspected big-cat attack while returning home with his wife after collecting grass near Mohan range adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve on Sunday evening. The incident triggered anger in nearby villages, marking the second such fatal occurrence in the area within a month.
Villagers Protest and Demand Action
Villagers accused the forest department of failing to act despite repeated attacks and demanded that the animal be identified and captured immediately. The deceased was identified as Mahipal Singh Mehra, a resident of Tok Baurda in Tadam (Belam) village. While villagers suspected a tiger had attacked him, forest officials said they were awaiting confirmation, as the area is home to both tigers and leopards.
The incident led to protests on Monday when the Almora divisional forest officer and administrative officials visited Mehra's family. Local residents expressed widespread fear, with many avoiding farms and forest areas due to uncertainty about which animal was behind the attacks and whether the threat had been contained.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Village head Ankit Singh said, 'This is not the first such case. Many people have lost their lives, but there is no concrete solution on the ground.' He noted that the latest death had raised doubts over whether the leopard captured earlier was responsible for the previous attacks, adding, 'How long will innocent lives be lost?'
Previous Attacks in the Region
A 60-year-old man was killed in a similar attack in Tadam village on March 31. In December last year, an elderly woman was killed by a tigress in Kholyo Kyari village, around 20 kilometers away, further escalating concerns over recurring attacks in the forested belt near Mohan range.
Forest Department Response
Forest officials said they had installed cages at multiple locations and deployed patrol teams after the latest attack. A leopard was captured on April 18, but officials had not confirmed its role in the previous incidents. Sub-divisional officer Kakul Pundir stated that four cages were currently in place and compensation procedures for Mehra's family had been initiated. 'The exact animal responsible will be confirmed after the investigation report,' the officer said.
Precautionary Measures Advised
Authorities advised residents not to venture into forests alone and to restrict movement during night hours as a precautionary measure. The forest department continues to monitor the situation and has urged the public to report any sightings of wild animals immediately.
