Fri Sep 19 15:21:08 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, with the context of it being published by The Hindu:
**Headline: Human-Wildlife Conflict Escalates in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur as Tiger and Leopard Attacks Surge**
**Mumbai, September 19, 2025** – Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, home to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), is grappling with a sharp rise in human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving tigers and leopards. Five fatalities have been recorded in September alone, raising concerns among local communities.
According to the Chandrapur Forest Department, the tiger population has surged to 347 in the Chandrapur forest, up from 191 in 2020. However, this increase appears to be coinciding with increased incidents of attacks on humans. In the first 19 days of September, four people have been killed by tigers and one by a leopard, bringing the nine month total number of deaths to 30.
The recent victims include Pandurang Chachane, Annapurana Bilone, Sunil Balkrishnarao, Vidya Masram, and 7-year-old Prasheel Mankar. The most recent incidents occurred on September 18th, with Vidya Masram, a 40-year-old woman, killed by a tiger while working on her farm in Chimur village. Also on September 18th, in a separate incident, Prasheel Mankar was killed by a leopard while returning home from a village function in Gadbori village. His uncle, Nandkishore Mankar, witnessed the attack.
The attacks have instilled fear within the affected villages, leading residents to demand immediate action from the Forest Department. Villagers in Gadbori initially refused to release Prasheel Mankar’s body until they received written assurances that the department would implement measures such as solar fencing, solar lighting, and improved land management to deter animal incursions.
Dr. Prabhu Nath Shukla, the IFS officer currently in charge of the Chandrapur Circle, stated that the department is working to address the villagers’ concerns and has deployed Primary Response Teams (PRTs). After providing written assurance of implementing the requested measures, the body was released and sent for autopsy.
Sheela Upvarkar, the Sarpanch of Gadbori village, criticized the Forest Department for alleged negligence, noting that similar demands for preventative measures were made four years ago. The surge in attacks underscores the complex challenges of managing human-wildlife interactions in the region, especially with the tiger population rising. The Hindu will continue to follow this developing situation.
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