By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Ramnagar (District Nainital), 18 Aug: Panic gripped the Garjiya area of Ramnagar in Nainital district after a huge tiger emerged from the Corbett National Park forest adjoining a settlement and attacked a horse in broad daylight, today, dragging it into the forest. The incident reportedly took place at around 1.30 p.m. near the Jhula Pul crossing, close to the gate of the erstwhile Garjiya tourism zone along National Highway-309.
According to the reports, the tiger came out of the forest and attacked the horse at a location extremely close to the populated area before dragging it towards the forest. The incident took place in full public view, with loud sounds of people in the vicinity also being heard as the tiger pulled away its prey. The presence of the tiger so close to human habitation in broad daylight has once again heightened concerns over the increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict in the area.
The spot where the incident occurred is situated near the Jhula Pul crossing and is directly adjacent to the populated area. A large number of people use the area during the day, while the local residents and visitors frequently move towards and across the Jhula Pul. The presence of a tiger in such a location certainly poses a serious threat to human safety, particularly if the animal continues to move close to the settlement in search of prey.
Following the information about the incident, teams of the Forest Department claim to have increased patrolling in the area. According to the forest officials, continuous surveillance is being maintained and efforts are underway to trace the tiger’s location and monitor its movements. The department has appealed to the people to avoid entering the forest and areas adjoining it. People have, in particular, been advised to avoid moving towards the Jhula Pul area in view of the tiger’s presence.
Ramnagar Forest Division Range Officer Krishna Singh Mehra said that people needed to exercise extreme caution in view of the tiger’s movement close to human habitation. He claimed that the Forest Department is keeping a close watch on the area and urged people not to venture towards the forest or the Jhula Pul side. He cautioned that any negligence in such circumstances may have serious consequences.
According to the reports, the forest department teams are currently monitoring the tiger’s activities and its possible location. The incident of a tiger killing and dragging away a horse in broad daylight and in close proximity to a populated area has caused considerable concern among the local residents. The residents said that that tiger movement has been reported repeatedly in the area and urged the forest department to further intensify patrolling and surveillance to prevent any untoward incident involving humans.
