Villagers Alarmed Over Release Of Royal Bengal Tiger Into Satkosia

Angul: The release of ‘Mahavir’, the Royal Bengal tiger from Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, into Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Angul district has triggered panic among the villagers residing in its periphery.

The tiger, which arrived here on June 21, was released from the enclosure into the Satkosia Sanctuary on July 6.

These days, the villagers prefer to stay indoors after sunset. Even during the day, they carry sticks and sharp weapons to defend themselves from a possible tiger attack.

“The parents and the guardians are now accompanying children to the school apprehending danger from the tiger. We are forced to keep the doors and windows of the houses closed,” said Dileswar Pradhan, a villager.

He also alleged that neither the administration nor the Forest officials had alerted the villagers before releasing the wild cat into the forest.

“We fear going to our fields where we have grown paddy. How long can we live like this?” Biraja Nani, another villager asked.

However, the Forest department has ruled out any possibility of a tiger attack.

“We are constantly monitoring the movement of the Bengal tiger. Tigers always try avoid human beings. Since there is plenty of food in the sanctuary, there are remote chances of it venturing into the human settlement,” Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Field Director, Satkosia, Sudarsan Panda, told the media.

He also urged the villagers not to panic over the presence of the tiger in the sanctuary.