Animal attacks on the rise in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: In a sign of intensifying man-animal conflict in parts of Rajasthan, four persons were killed in animal attacks in less than one month, jerking the government into action.

Morpali Meena (55) and Ashfaq (20) were mauled by tigers in Ranthambore National Park area in Sawaimadhopur on February 16 and March 8 respectively.

In Dholpur, a bear killed middle aged men Rambabu Gujjar and Tej Singh Kushwaha and injured a few others in March. The animal was later killed by villagers.

Expressing concern over the incident, state Forest Minister Bina Kak said, "I am worried with this rising trend (of man-animal conflict) and have directed officials to make more efforts for controlling such incidents.

"I have asked officials to increase the height of the forest wall around Ranthambhore park from existing six feet to stop illegal entry of people who go there to collect firewood," she said.

"Tracking of wild animals, particularly those of big cats, will also be strengthened and senior officials will have to monitor the activity closely," she said.

Forest officer of Dholpur, Jai Prakash, said the body of the bear has not been recovered so far and it is suspected to have been burnt.

"We are registering a case under relevant sections of Wild Life Act," he said.

Besides these incidents, a leopard was found dead in Sariska in Alwar district on March 8 and official suspect it to be a case of paching. "This is another worrying factor," an official said.

In November 2010, a tiger was poisoned to death by some villagers in Sariska tiger reserve, in a setback to the programme for revival of tiger population in Sariska.