Footprints of tiger found again in village near Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: The tiger from Palamu Tiger Reserve, which entered the Dalma region on December 31, continues to roam in Patamda and Bodam villages near Jamshedpur. On Friday, fresh footprints were discovered near the forest of Oppo village in Gobarghusi, Bodam, causing concern among villagers. Some local youths spotted the marks and immediately alerted the community, advising them to remain cautious.

This marks the fourth sighting of the tiger in the past month and a half. Over 100 trapping cameras have been installed in an effort to monitor its movement. The tiger has been seen in various areas of Dalma, including Gobarlad and Pagda villages of Beldih Panchayat under Bodam police station.

On Thursday morning, villagers of Jarki, Gobarlad Tola and Pagda also reported tiger footprints, leading to heightened alertness in the area. The forest department, upon being informed, rushed to the site. Forest Officer Dinesh Chandra confirmed the footprints belonged to a tiger and urged villagers to exercise caution.

Residents of Gobarghusi, Dhusra, Pagda, Chimti and other nearby villages in Patamda have been avoiding the forest out of fear. Many of them, especially women, who usually collect dry wood, have refrained from going into the hilly areas after the latest tiger sighting.

“There is no evidence of the tiger attacking humans so far, but we have found signs of it preying on cattle in Tankocha forest of Chandil,” said a forest department official. The tiger’s movements have been particularly active in the Terai region of Dalma’s Bodam area since Tuesday night.

Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum, Ananya Mittal, reassured residents that the administration is closely monitoring the situation. “We are in constant communication with forest officials and all necessary support is being provided. If the tiger moves towards a residential area, we will not hesitate to impose Section 144 to ensure human safety,” Mittal stated.

Current reports indicate the tiger is moving toward the Bengal forest, but authorities remain on high alert. Patrols are being conducted continuously to prevent any unforeseen incidents.