Maharashtra: People chase tiger on road near Tadoba, experts warn of tragedy

Experts express concern after people chase tiger on road near Tadoba. (Pic/Nikhil Bende)

In a brazen and deeply disturbing act, several people were seen walking behind a tiger on the public road between Moharli and Chandrapur near the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to click pictures and shoot videos. The incident triggered massive outrage among wildlife conservationists who warned that the reckless behaviour could have ended in tragedy.

Wildlife conservationists have strongly condemned the reckless act and demanded strict legal action against those seen in the video, warning that such behaviour could have triggered a serious human-wildlife conflict incident.

Wildlife photographer Sanjeev Siva, a regular visitor to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, said, "Around 1 to 1.5 years ago, tigress C3 had three sub-adult cubs near the Sitarampeth-Kondegaon area. At the time, strict restrictions were in place to ensure vehicles did not stop and disturb the tigers. However, people continued using the road to travel between villages."

"On Sundays and public holidays, especially when visitors came from nearby cities like Chandrapur, people would often shout and scream at the tigers visible by the roadside. I have personally seen the tigers respond with mock charges and even growls in anger," he further added.

Expressing concerns, he also asserted that eventually, one of the male tigers, known as ‘Collarwala', killed a Moharli safari driver, Amol, and developed a habit of charging at bikers. "It was later removed from the forest and, I believe, sent to a rescue centre," Siva said.

Referring to the Padmapur-Moharli road, Siva said it is frequently crowded with tourists heading to resorts as well as members of the public travelling to and from Chandrapur.

"There is regular movement of at least five to six tigers crossing this road. Anyone getting off a vehicle or stopping on this stretch can be fined Rs 2,000 or Rs 5,000. These people seen in the video are not tourists who came for tiger safaris, so imposing restrictions only on safari tourists will not solve the problem. Whoever makes these mistakes, the tiger gets the sentence (and at times, innocent villagers too lose their lives in conflict) - both who haven't started this unfortunate trail of events," he added.

What Forest Department officials have to say

The Maharashtra Forest Department statement, while briefing about the incident, said, "A case has been registered in connection with the viral video on the Moharli-Padmapur road; the search for the accused has begun."

"On March 15, a video of people stopping vehicles on the Mohali-Padmapur road and taking videos went viral on social media, blocking the path of a tiger and trampling it. The Forest Department has started an investigation into this serious matter," they added.

Hinting that proper action will be taken against the accused, the department said, "Action will be taken to seize the vehicles that stopped vehicles on the tiger's migration route."

They also added, "A forest crime case has been registered against the accused who came down the road under the Indian Forest Act 1972, and legal action will be taken after identifying the accused."

The case is being investigated by Range Forest Officer Mohorli Range, and if the accused in the video is identified, information should be given on 9834689541.