Jayapur (Koraput): Residents of Jharaput village under Rajput Panchayat in Semiliguda Block of Koraput district, are living in fear after a buffalo was killed in a tiger attack on a nearby hill two days ago.
Several villagers had taken their cattle, goats and buffaloes up the hill to graze. While returning in the evening, they heard the distressed cries of a buffalo from the hilltop but did not go back due to darkness and fear. The next morning, some residents climbed the hill and discovered the carcass. More than half of the buffalo’s hindquarters had been eaten by a large predator.
Villagers immediately informed Semiliguda Forest Range officials. Forest Officer Sushant Kumar Dalai, along with his team, reached the spot, examined the remains and began monitoring the area. Camera traps were installed at multiple locations on the hills to track the animal’s movement. Villagers have been advised not to leave their homes after dark and to remain alert.
The Forest Department has now confirmed that the predator is a tiger. The animal is believed to have entered the Semiliguda range from a neighbouring forest area. Two special teams of the Semiliguda Forest Department are monitoring its movement round the clock.
Koraput Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Siddhartha Jain, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Jagannath Prasad Bishoi, Range Officer Sushant Kumar Dalai and other staff visited the village. They interacted with residents, assessed the situation and urged people not to panic.
Officials stated that necessary precautionary measures are being taken as per guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Awareness messages are being broadcast through microphones in surrounding villages, stressing both human safety and wildlife protection.
Villagers have been advised to avoid forest areas, stay alert and not approach or disturb the tiger. Rapid response teams and field staff have been deployed for continuous surveillance, tracking and mapping of the animal’s movements.
The Koraput Forest Division has requested the public to follow official advice and immediately report any tiger sighting, footprints or unusual activity to the nearest forest official.
The department is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any untoward incident.
