Frequent Tiger Sightings in Mungoli Mining Area Trigger Panic Yavatmal: Recent days have seen a surge in tiger sightings in the Mungoli coal mining area of Wani taluka, sparking fear among workers and local residents. A tiger was spotted by workers along a roadside as recently as Friday, intensifying concerns about the safety of the region. Villagers and workers attribute the increased presence of tigers to the dense vegetation, stray animals, and water sources that characterize the vast land surrounding coal and cement mines. The discovery of a tigress with her cubs in the cement mining area has raised alarms about a potential rise in the big cat population in the region. Forest department officials have been notified of the situation and are conducting awareness campaigns in affected villages, including Shindola, Kurli, Shewala, Sawangi (New), Shivani, Hanuman Nagar, Yenak, Chankha, Parmadoh, Chikhli, and Takli. Local residents have reported that farm laborers are avoiding agricultural fields due to the panic, disrupting farming activities. Subhash Bhongale, former sarpanch of Shivani village, emphasized the growing fear among farmers, agricultural laborers, mine workers, and schoolchildren. He urged the forest department to install trap cameras near settlements and take immediate action to address the crisis. The situation has created a sense of urgency, with residents demanding concrete measures to ensure their safety. The presence of tigers in the area has also raised questions about the balance between industrial development and wildlife conservation. While the forest department has acknowledged the issue, critics argue that more proactive steps are needed to prevent further human-wildlife conflicts.#shindola #wani_taluka #kurli #mungoli #shivani
Yavatmal villagers in fear as tigers, cubs hit the road Fear has gripped residents of the Shindola area in Wani taluka, Yavatmal district, after frequent sightings of tigers in the nearby forest region have sparked panic among farmers and laborers. The movement of tigers into forests bordering villages has not only created anxiety but also triggered a severe livelihood crisis for those reliant on forest produce and agricultural work. On April 2, farmers traveling to their fields near Shindola Khan area spotted a tigress and her two cubs crossing a road. The farmers slowed their vehicle, captured footage on their phones, and alerted forest department officials. In response, the forest department installed trap cameras in the area to monitor tiger activity. Villages such as Kurli, Yenak, Hanuman Nagar, Chikhli, Takli, and Kolgaon, located close to the forest, face heightened risks. A significant tribal population resides in Kurli and Shindola, where many families depend on collecting forest produce like tendu leaves and other seasonal resources during summer for their livelihood. However, the presence of tigers has made entry into forest areas unsafe, leaving many laborers without work and pushing them into financial distress. Local farmer Anil Garghate explained that the availability of water and safe shelter in the hilly forest areas has led to an increase in tiger activity. "We have to risk our lives even while going to our fields," he said. Forest Guard Vijay Bobde confirmed that a tigress and her two cubs were spotted on the road in the Shindola area. "After receiving the information of the sighting, trap cameras have been installed to monitor the situation," he added. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents and the sustainability of livelihoods in the region.#yavatmal_district #shindola_area #wani_taluka #kurli #shindola
