Bagaha: Fear has gripped villages bordering the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar’s West Champaran district after two people died in separate tiger attacks within 48 hours. According to local residents and Forest Department officials, the incidents have forced many villagers to avoid working in fields, grazing cattle or travelling alone near forested areas.
The Forest Department has intensified surveillance in the affected villages and appealed to residents to remain cautious while agricultural activities continue.
Two Fatal Attacks in Two Days
According to officials, the first incident occurred on Thursday near Hathimalkhanta in Valmikinagar, where Aklu Yadav was allegedly attacked by a tiger while grazing cattle.
He sustained serious injuries and was initially provided medical treatment before being referred to Gorakhpur for specialised care. Officials said he later died during treatment.
The second attack took place on Friday in Mishrauliya Reta, under the Naurangiya police station area.
According to local residents, 45-year-old Umravati Devi was working in a field when a tiger attacked her. Labourers working nearby raised an alarm and attempted to drive the animal away. Although the tiger retreated towards the forest after villagers gathered, the woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Fear Keeps Farmers Away From Fields
The two incidents have heightened anxiety in villages located along the forest boundary.
Residents said many farmers in the Mishrauliya Reta area stayed away from their fields on Saturday, fearing another encounter with the tiger. Villagers also expressed concern that the animal could emerge from nearby forests or sugarcane fields without warning.
Many residents said they have started travelling to fields in groups instead of alone and are avoiding grazing cattle near forest edges.
Forest Department Intensifies Monitoring
According to the Forest Department, teams have been deployed to monitor the tiger’s movements following the latest attack.
Officials said the animal moved back towards the forest after Friday’s incident but was reportedly spotted again in the Reta area the following day.
Forest personnel crossed rivers and streams using boats to reach the affected locations and continued tracking the tiger’s movement. Officials said the animal’s location has been changing frequently, requiring continuous monitoring.
Officials Urge Residents to Remain Vigilant
Madanpur Range Forest Officer Naseem Ahmed Ansari said a Forest Department team under his supervision is maintaining constant surveillance in the affected areas and tracking the tiger’s movement.
According to the department, villagers have been advised not to venture alone into forest fringes or sugarcane fields. Residents have also been urged to work in groups and immediately inform forest officials if the tiger is sighted.
Villagers Seek Stronger Safety Measures
Following the recent attacks, residents have called on the Forest Department to strengthen patrolling and surveillance in villages bordering the reserve.
Villagers said enhanced monitoring and quicker response mechanisms are needed to ensure they can continue farming and carrying out daily activities without fear while reducing the risk of further human-wildlife conflict.
