Bargarh: A 41-year-old man was critically injured after being attacked by a bear while plucking kendu leaves in a forest area under Paikmal block of Bargarh district on Tuesday morning, locals said.
The incident took place in Chhetgaon village when Samanta Chhatar, had gone to the nearby forest along with others to pluck kendu leaves. During the plucking activity, a bear allegedly emerged suddenly from the forest and attacked him.
Villagers said Samanta sustained grievous injuries on different parts of his body in the attack. His companions and local residents immediately rescued him and shifted him to the District Headquarters Hospital in Nuapada for treatment.
Hospital sources said his condition was stated to be critical.
The incident has triggered panic among residents of Chhetgaon and nearby areas, particularly among people dependent on forest produce collection during the kendu leaf season. Villagers expressed concern over increasing incidents of wildlife movement near human habitations and forest-access routes.
Locals demanded immediate intervention by the Forest and Environment Department, Kendu Leaf Division and the district administration to ensure proper medical treatment and compensation for the injured man. They also urged authorities to take preventive measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the region.
