By Suresh Bhai
In Uttarakhand, the rising attacks by tigers, leopards, and bears have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. Women who go to the forests and fields to cut grass are increasingly becoming victims of wild animals. A tragic incident in the third week of November in Pab village of Chamoli district illustrates the severity of the problem.
Tragedy in Pab Village: 42-year-old Rameshwari Devi had gone to the forest early in the morning to collect grass. When she did not return home until late evening, the villagers, along with the forest department, launched a search operation. Her sickle and rope were found scattered on the forest path, but there was no sign of her.
The next morning, she was found near a banj (oak) tree, critically injured after being attacked by a bear. She had spent the freezing night fighting for her life, crying in pain from the deep wounds inflicted by the bear. The bear had retreated after injuring her, and it was her will to survive that kept her alive.
In Chamoli district alone, over 25 people have been injured this year in wildlife attacks, including 12 attacks by bears. Bears have been active in Jyotirmath, Dasholi, Pokhari, Dewal, Tharali, Karnaprayag, and Nandanagar regions as well.
Tiger and Leopard Terror in Pauri
The situation is even more alarming in Pauri Garhwal. Near Niyalgarh and Koti, Ginni Devi, who had gone to cut grass about 300 metres from her home, was attacked and killed on the spot by a leopard hiding in the bushes.
In the same area, the body of Prakash Chandra was recovered from the forest after a week. In Bagdi Gad village of Pokhara block, a woman was killed by a leopard, and two days earlier, another woman in Ghandiyal village was seriously injured by a leopard attack.
On 17 November, a woman in Jiwai village was attacked by a bear, receiving severe injuries on her face.
Rising Threat across the State
Statistics reveal that in 2025 so far, 40 people have lost their lives due to wild animal attacks.
In Pithoragarh, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Haridwar, Ramnagar, Haldwani, Tehri, and Uttarkashi, more than 500 villages are struggling with wildlife intrusion into fields, pathways, and even courtyards.
Villages located near protected areas such as Corbett Tiger Reserve, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rajaji National Park are living in constant fear. Residents allege that man-eating animals are being released near their settlements—though there is no official confirmation of this.
Limitations of the Forest Department
The forest department becomes active only after a major incident. People are advised to stay alert and avoid forests, but there is no clear long-term strategy to control wild animals.
For women, collecting grass and firewood has become extremely risky.
The increased presence of leopards has frightened school-going children. Many schools have to shut frequently or relocate to panchayat buildings, disrupting their primary education.
People in remote villages without road access live under constant fear while returning home in the evenings.
Government Response and Necessary Measures
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sameer Sinha, has released Rs 50 lakh to curb wildlife attacks. This may provide temporary relief, but long-term solutions are essential.
Suggested Measures
- Formation of a Forest Police Unit – especially to protect women who go to forests for grass.
- Empowering Panchayats – giving local bodies the authority and training to respond to tiger and leopard threats.
- Use of Legal Provisions – Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, if an animal poses a threat to human life, the Chief Wildlife Warden can order it to be captured or killed.
- Clearing Forest Paths – Regular clearing of bushes through MGNREGA can improve safety while providing employment.
5. Community-Based Planning – Strategic long-term action plans must be made in consultation with affected villages.
(The writer is a renowned social worker).
