Tiger Kills One in Nagaon as Kaziranga Sees Rise in Big Cat Population

Nagaon: Kaziranga National Park has witnessed a sharp increase in tiger population. Many of the tigers have also been relocated to Manas National Park, but the density of tigers in Kaziranga National Park is among the highest in the country. If on hand it is something to cherish, there is a pay for everything.

The sharp increase in tiger population and decline in its territorial area have forced tigers to venture into new territories, already occupied by humans. As a result of this territorial conflict between the tiger, considered the King of the Jungle in the Northeast (as it is the top predator and there is no lion in this region) and humans are increasing in the areas close to the National parks and sometimes even over hundred kilometres away.

In one such incident, an adult tiger on Friday morning attacked a villager in the Bhelagaon village of Nonoi in the Nagaon district. Taithyo Phukan went to the field in the morning to graze his cows when the tiger attacked the villagers and inflicted injuries. He was being shifted to the hospital when another villager Telon Saikia was also attacked by the tiger. He died on the spot. Phukan is currently undergoing treatment and is admitted to a hospital.

The tiger is reportedly from the Kaziranga National Park.

"In the morning when he went to the field, he was attacked by the tiger. When he shouted, tiger-tiger we didn't believe as no tiger was spotted here earlier. However, we rushed there to rescue him in a pool of blood. The tiger ran towards the village and attacked another villager and killed him on the spot," an eye witness said, adding that it is a very big tiger.

Locals informed the forest department and teams of forest and police were rushed to the spot. Public announcements are being made to ensure that the public doesn't venture out unnecessarily and stays calm. "We are from the district administration making announcements for public safety. People are panicking and this might put their lives in danger as the tiger might panic too and attack more people," said an official.

Meanwhile, forest officials have brought in a trap cage to cage the tiger. However, till the filing of this report, no success has been made and the tiger is still inside the village.