Forest dept sets 30x30-ft cage to trap man-eating tiger T-122 in Chandrapur's Saoli range

The forest department has launched a special operation to capture the man-eating tiger T-122 in the Vyahad sub-range of the Saoli forest range. For the past month the tiger has spread terror in the Samda, Nilsani, Pedgaon, Sonapur and Wagholi-Buti areas and has been attacking people.

According to the forest department, the tiger has killed three herders in a month who had gone into the forest to graze cattle. The repeated fatal attacks have caused great fear among farmers, herders and villagers in Samda and the surrounding rural area. Keeping in view public safety, the department has been running a major operation to capture the tiger since September 27, 2026.

Locating, tracking and tranquillising a tiger is an extremely complicated and time-consuming task, and it is distressing for the animal too. For this reason, the Chandrapur forest department has tried a new method. For this tiger, which evades humans as soon as it senses their presence, a high-tech, large 30 ft x 30 ft cage has been set up in the Samda area of the Saoli range. An animal has been placed inside the cage as bait, and solar-powered CCTV cameras have been installed to keep watch on it round the clock.

The cage was built under the leadership of Chandrapur Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Ramanujam and the guidance of Divisional Forest Officer Mr Rajan Talmale. It was conceived by Chandrapur Range Forest Officer Mr Ghanshyam Naigamkar and Brahmapuri forest division biologist Mr Rakesh Ahuja.

The operation is directly headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests Mr Vikas Tarse and Saoli Range Forest Officer Mr Vinod Dhurve. To track the tiger's every movement, 9 CCTV Garuda cameras, 20 trap cameras and 3 live cameras have been installed. In addition, the STPF team, RRU team, PRT team and about 50 to 60 forest staff and forest labourers are keeping watch day and night.

Eco-Pro Chandrapur founder president Mr Bandu Bhau Dhotre, honorary wildlife warden Mr Mukesh Bhandakkar, biologist Mr Akshay Narnaware, retired assistant commissioner Dr Chhonkar and field assistant Mr Maruti Pullewad are also part of the operation. Local forest guards Mr Ingle, Mr Shedmake, Mr Dange, Mr Khude, Mr Akshay Meshram, Mr Nandkishore Chankapure and Mr Lankesh Akhade are also actively engaged.

Forest department officers and staff have expressed firm confidence of early success in this planned joint action. The department has appealed to people not to venture towards the forest until the tiger is fully captured, and to cooperate by strictly following its instructions.