Royal Bengal Tiger Won’t Stray, Minister Assures Villagers

Angul: Allaying the fear of villagers, living in the periphery of Satkosia Sanctuary in Odisha’s Angul district, about a possible attack by the Royal Bengal tiger recently released into its core area, Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray on Thursday urged them not to panic.

“The tiger will never stray into human habitation as it has plenty of food and space in Satkosia,” he said.

The minister also said that there were several tigers in the s anctuary in the past and none ever harmed any human being as there was plenty of food for them there.

Routray statement followed a protest by hundreds of villagers against relocation of the tiger from the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh into the wild of Satkosia Sanctuary.

The villagers of about 20 panchayats took out a rally under the banner of ‘Satkosia Khyatigrasta Surakhya Samiti’ (SKSS) and arrived at the District Collectorate where they sat on a dharna.

Alleging indifference by the administration, irate villagers threatened to kill the tiger if the Forest Department fails to ensure the safety of their lives and livestock.

Talking to mediapersons, Biraj Jani, a villager, said the presence of the tiger is not the main issue but the decision of the Forest Department denying their basic rights by closing down the forest roads and restricting their movement. “Besides, the fear of the big cat has affected villagers,” he pointed out.

Another villager, Dileswar Pradhan said the villagers had discussed the matter with the Forest Department officials several times but without any concrete outcome. “We will intensify our agitation and gherao all the Range offices in the coming days if the Collector does not resolve the matter at the earliest,” he added.

“The villagers are concerned about their own safety and of the livestock. They have submitted a nine-point charter of demands. A meeting will be held soon to resolve their issues, Angul ADM Tapan Kumar Satpathy said.