Tiger spotted in Saja : Villagers alerted

Drones carrying out search operation

Bemetara (Team Newsbuddy): The presence of a tiger in Bemetara district has created panic among locals in four villages—Mohgaon, Mouhabhata, Mohtara, and Saja. Over the past two days, farmers and shepherds have reported tiger sightings, prompting immediate action by the forest department.

Bemetara Collector Ranbir Sharma has issued an alert, urging villagers to remain cautious. The first sighting was reported on Friday when villagers in Mohgaon and Ranbirpur claimed to have seen the tiger near irrigation fields. Hearing its roar, the villagers climbed trees to escape and later informed the forest department. A local shepherd in Saja spotted the tiger near a farmhouse while grazing goats.

He managed to escape unharmed and alerted authorities. Search Operations with Drones The forest department, assisted by drones, has been conducting an extensive search to locate the tiger.

Gajendra Singh Rajput, a forest guard, confirmed the presence of the tiger based on footprints and hair samples found near a sugarcane field behind the electricity office in Saja. The search team, along with Saja SDM, is actively working to track the tiger’s movements.

“We received reports of the tiger roaming in Mouhabhata on Friday. By Saturday morning, it was reported to have moved towards Mohtara and later into Saja. Evidence like paw prints and hair confirms the tiger’s presence,” Rajput stated.

Forest guards are using public announcements to warn villagers of the tiger’s presence. Residents have been advised to stay indoors after dusk and limit outdoor activities. Livestock owners have been instructed to keep their animals securely tied up inside homes.

Collector Ranbir Sharma reassured residents, saying, “Revenue, forest, and police officers are working round the clock to ensure the tiger is captured safely. We urge villagers to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols.”

The incident has sparked widespread concern in the region. Locals are being continuously updated on developments, and teams are patrolling the area to prevent any untoward incidents.

With drones actively tracking the tiger’s location, officials hope to capture the animal soon and ensure the safety of both residents and wildlife. Further updates on the tiger’s movements and the ongoing search will be provided by the authorities.