Tiger kills farmer in Chandrapur, 31st such death this year

A farmer was killed in a tiger attack in Savli taluka of Chandrapur district. The incident occurred in the Samda Buzurg area on the evening of September 21. The farmer, identified as Hemant Ashok Bhurse, was suddenly attacked by a tiger in the forest and died on the spot. The death is the 31st such incident amid rising conflict between humans and wild animals in the area, sparking grief and anger across the taluka.

According to information received, Hemant Bhurse had gone into the forest near the village in the afternoon, as he did every day, with his buffaloes. But he did not return home even after evening fell. This led his family and fellow villagers to grow worried and begin searching for him in the forest. During the search, Hemant's body was found in the forest, drenched in blood. Given the severe injuries on the body, it is initially believed that his death was caused by a tiger attack.

As news of the incident spread through the village, hundreds of people from Samda Buzurg and neighbouring villages gathered at the site. Angry villagers alleged that tiger movement in the area had increased over the past few days, but the forest department had failed to take timely action. Villagers said that they had to go to the edge of their fields and the forest every day for their livelihood, but were now forced to work with their lives at risk, asking whose turn would come next after Hemant.

Taking an aggressive stance, villagers demanded that the tiger responsible for the attack be traced and captured immediately and shifted to a safe location. They also strongly demanded that the government immediately provide financial assistance of twenty five lakh rupees to the family of the deceased Hemant Bhurse, increase round the clock forest department patrolling in the village, and install trap cameras in the area.

On receiving information about the incident, a team from Savli police station and senior forest department officials rushed to the spot. They conducted an inquest on the body and have begun further legal proceedings and investigation. Such recurring fatal incidents have created an atmosphere of intense fear among farmers and livestock herders, and all eyes are now on whether the forest department will take concrete and effective steps to prevent human-wildlife conflict.