Bettiah: A tiger, believed to have strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) forest in West Champaran district, was sighted near the Puraina Shiva temple in Chanpatia on Wednesday morning, causing alarm among local residents. The tiger, which had reportedly hunted a Nilgai before leaving the forest, was seen near the temple, intensifying fears among the community.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the tiger has not attacked anyone. It is an adult tiger likely searching for new territory. To monitor the tiger’s movements, two teams of 15 members each have been deployed to work around the clock.
The local police have been using public address systems to warn people to stay away from the Sareh area, where the tiger has been spotted. Forest officials have specifically advised against venturing into the fields.
The tiger’s journey reportedly began after it hunted a Nilgai in Puraina, Mainatand, and continued through the Sareh of Pipra village in Chanpatia via the Karatha river. This route took it through sugarcane fields, further unsettling local farmers. Manguraha forest ranger Sunil Pathak and other officials have been on site to manage the situation.
Brijesh Singh, a ward member, reported that the tiger had shown aggression towards local women earlier in the day. He recounted an encounter where the tiger appeared to prepare for an attack before he managed to escape.
Earlier, villagers were alarmed upon discovering tiger pugmarks near the Kali temple in Pipra village, prompting a gathering of curious and concerned locals. It is believed that the tiger reached Pipra via the Karatha river, which merges with the Sikarhana river near Tularam Ghat.
Ranger Sunil Pathak confirmed the presence of pugmarks around Pipra, indicating the tiger’s movements in the area. DFO Pradyumna Gaurav reassured the public that the tiger has not harmed anyone and explained that such movements are typical as adult male tigers often roam in search of new territory. He noted that the ongoing rainy season and the dense sugarcane fields complicate the rescue efforts.
The tiger is reportedly returning to the forest via the river. Authorities have decided against disturbing the animal to prevent it from wandering further into populated areas. The monitoring operation involves about 35 people working in shifts to ensure the safety of both the residents and the tiger.
This incident is not isolated; previous occurrences of tigers wandering out of the forest have been noted. However, it is emphasized that tigers generally do not pose a threat to humans.
