Koraput, Nov 6 (UDN): Fear has gripped several villages in the Semiliguda region of Koraput district after the Forest Department confirmed the presence of a tiger following the killing of a buffalo near Jharaput village. Authorities have stepped up surveillance and issued safety advisories to residents of nearby villages.
The incident reportedly took place on a hill near Jharaput village under Rajput Gram Panchayat in Semiliguda block, where villagers had taken their cattle, goats and buffaloes for grazing.
According to local accounts, villagers heard the distressing cries of a buffalo while returning home in the evening. However, darkness and fear prevented them from returning to the spot. The following morning, some villagers went up the hill and discovered the animal’s carcass, with a substantial portion of its hindquarters eaten by a large predator.
Following the discovery, villagers immediately alerted the Semiliguda Forest Range authorities.
Forest Department Confirms Tiger Presence
Forest officials rushed to the location and examined the remains of the buffalo. After an investigation, the department confirmed that the animal responsible for the attack was a tiger.
The big cat is suspected to have entered the Semiliguda forest range from a neighbouring forest area. However, officials are continuing to monitor its movements to establish its location and movement patterns.
Camera traps have been installed at strategic locations across the hills to track the tiger’s activities. Two special teams of the Semiliguda Forest Department have also been deployed for round-the-clock surveillance.
Senior Officials Visit Affected Village
Koraput Divisional Forest Officer Siddhartha Jain, Assistant Conservator of Forests Jagannath Prasad Bishoi, Semiliguda Range Officer Sushant Kumar Dalai and other forest personnel visited the affected village.
The officials interacted with residents, assessed the situation and appealed to villagers to remain calm while strictly following the safety guidelines issued by the department.
The Forest Department has initiated precautionary measures in accordance with the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), focusing on public safety as well as the protection of the wild animal.
Villagers Asked to Avoid Forest Areas
As a precautionary measure, residents of Jharaput and neighbouring villages have been advised to avoid entering forest areas, particularly during early morning and evening hours. People have also been urged not to venture outside unnecessarily after dark.
Awareness announcements are being made through public-address systems in surrounding villages to alert residents about the tiger’s presence and explain the necessary safety precautions.
Forest officials have further cautioned people against approaching, chasing or attempting to disturb the animal under any circumstances.
Continuous Monitoring to Prevent Human-Wildlife Conflict
Rapid response teams and field personnel are maintaining close surveillance of the area. The department is using camera traps and field monitoring to track the tiger’s movements and reduce the possibility of human-wildlife conflict.
Residents have been requested to immediately inform the nearest forest office about any tiger sightings, pugmarks or other suspicious wildlife activity.
With the tiger’s presence now officially confirmed, the Forest Department is maintaining heightened vigilance across the Semiliguda hills.
Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with forest personnel, avoid rumours and follow official instructions to ensure the safety of both villagers and wildlife.
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