Four women were killed in a tiger attack on Friday morning while they were collecting tendu leaves in the Gunjewahi forest area of Sindewahi taluka in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The incident has caused widespread fear and anger among villagers in the region.
Details of the Attack
According to forest department sources, the attack occurred around 8 a.m. when a group of 13 women from Gunjewahi village had ventured into the forest to collect tendu leaves, a significant source of seasonal income. The women were engaged in their collection activities when a tiger emerged from dense bushes and attacked them. Four women died on the spot due to severe injuries sustained during the assault. The remaining nine women managed to escape by screaming for help and fleeing the forest.
The deceased have been identified as Kavita Dadaji Mohurle (45), Anita Dadaji Mohurle (46), Sangita Santosh Chaudhary (40), and Sunita Kaushik Mohurle (33). The horrific nature of the attack, with four fatalities in a single encounter, is considered rare for the area.
Response and Aftermath
Following the incident, forest officials and police teams, including Sindewahi Forest Range Officer Anjali Sayankar, were dispatched to the scene. A preliminary inspection of the area has been completed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is underway. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations.
The attack has amplified concerns about human-wildlife conflict in Chandrapur, a district known to house the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and witness frequent such incidents. In response to the tragedy, forest authorities have intensified patrolling in the affected areas and advised villagers to exercise extreme caution, particularly when venturing into forests during the tendu leaf collection season.
The incident has once again brought the issue of human-animal conflict in Chandrapur to the forefront. Villagers have expressed their anger and concern over the safety of those who depend on forest produce for their livelihood. The Forest Department has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and avoid entering deep forest areas alone, especially during early morning and late evening hours, due to the confirmed presence of active tigers in the region. Surveillance cameras have been installed in vulnerable areas to monitor tiger movements, and efforts are being made to manage the increasing human-wildlife interactions.
The Chenab Times News Desk