Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: Fear has gripped 18 villages near the Tulgram forest under Chowka police station following a tiger attack on livestock. The tiger killed a bull and a calf, and its movements remain untraced, despite intensified tracking efforts by the forest department.
Forest officials suspect the tiger may be sheltering in a stone cave near Balidih forest and Joyda Temple. “We believe the tiger drank water from the Suvarnarekha River and retreated into the forest. It could be hiding in the cave behind Balidih forest,” said Jamshedpur DFO Saba Alam Ansari. Villagers have also reported the cave as a possible hideout.
Heightened safety measures
The forest department has installed tracking cameras across the region but has yet to capture the tiger’s image. “Based on its footprints, we are relocating cameras to new areas,” confirmed DFO Ansari. Paw marks suggest the tiger moved from Jhabari Karrubeda Hill through Palana Dam to Balidih Hill.
Residents of Tulgram, Balidih, Khunti, Kurli, Musribeda, and nearby villages have been advised to avoid the forests. “People must report any tiger sightings to us immediately,” said Ansari. Schools in the area are closed until January 6 to ensure children’s safety, and villagers are staying indoors after sunset.
Fair uncertainty adds to tension
The tiger scare has also cast uncertainty over the Joyda Temple fair, scheduled to start on January 14. A peace committee meeting to decide on the fair’s fate is yet to take place. “The safety of villagers is our priority. We will consider all factors before making a final decision,” said a committee member.
Villagers have raised concerns, questioning how a fair can be organized when picnics at Palana Dam, seven kilometers away, have been prohibited. “It seems unsafe to hold the fair near the tiger’s possible location,” a local resident remarked.
Meanwhile, viral videos allegedly showing the tiger in Gangudih, Chandil, have further fueled public fear, although forest officials have not confirmed its presence in the area. “We are closely monitoring the situation and request everyone to stay calm and follow precautions,” urged DFO Ansari.
The situation remains tense as villagers await clarity on the tiger’s movements and the final decision on the Joyda fair.
