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An atmosphere of fear and panic has gripped a village near Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar after a tragic incident where a woman was killed in a tiger attack. The victim, 60-year-old Umchi Devi from Sonbarsa village in West Champaran district, was attacked while grazing cattle in the fields around 4:30 in the evening. The tiger suddenly emerged from the nearby forest and mauled her, dragging her towards the jungle. By the time local villagers rushed to the scene, only part of her torn clothes and one of her legs were recovered. The incident occurred near the Dwaradah river, approximately 500 meters from Sonbarsa village, in the Gobardhana range, which lies adjacent to the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR). The forest department quickly responded after the villagers alerted them about the attack. Ranger Satyam Sonu, along with other forest officials, reached the location and began a detailed investigation. The search is still ongoing, with officials suspecting that the rest of the body may have been taken deeper into the forest by the tiger.
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve, spread over nearly 898.9 sq km along the India-Nepal border, is Bihar’s only tiger reserve. Over the years, the reserve has seen a steady increase in the tiger population, which is a positive sign for conservation efforts. However, this rise has also led to a noticeable increase in human-wildlife conflicts, especially in villages bordering the reserve. Locals living near the reserve have long expressed their fears about frequent tiger movements in the area. Villagers say that the tiger’s sudden appearance and aggressive behaviour have created an atmosphere of terror, prompting them to remain vigilant, even staying awake at night armed with sticks to protect themselves.
“We are always scared now. The forest is just a stone's throw away, and we do not know when the next attack will happen,” said a local villager. Many in the Gaunaha block are demanding stronger preventive measures from both the administration and the forest department to ensure the safety of their lives and cattle. According to Dr. Neshamani K, Chief Forest Officer of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, the incident took place in the Sonvarsha area of Gobardhana range. The forest department confirmed that the process of providing financial assistance to the victim’s family will begin after the post-mortem report is complete. Under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Bihar government policy, compensation is provided to the family affected by the tiger attack.
The forest department is also concerned about the increasing number of tiger movements near human settlements. Ranger Satyam Sonu assured that strict measures would be taken to monitor and manage tiger activity in the region. He emphasised the importance of balancing conservation efforts with the safety of local communities. “We are working to strengthen surveillance and implement early warning systems to prevent such incidents in the future,” he said. This tragic event has once again raised questions about the challenges of tiger conservation in densely populated areas. While the increase in tiger numbers is a conservation success, it has also highlighted the pressing need for proper management strategies to avoid human-wildlife conflict.
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve plays a crucial role in preserving the endangered tiger species and other wildlife in the region. However, with villages located so close to the forest boundary, incidents like this remain a serious concern. Continuous efforts by the forest department, supported by government policies, aim to protect both wildlife and human lives, but challenges persist.