This tragic event marks a concerning pattern of increasing man-animal conflicts in Assam, raising questions about habitat loss and conservation efforts.
Mob Lynches Royal Bengal Tiger in Assam Amid Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mob Lynches Royal Bengal Tiger in Assam Amid Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Rising tensions between villagers and wildlife in India as a tiger is brutally killed for livestock attacks.
In a shocking incident in Assam, India, a Royal Bengal tiger has been brutally killed by a mob of angry villagers in the Golaghat district. According to a forest official, the residents took matters into their own hands after the tiger reportedly attacked local livestock, leading them to view the animal as a grave threat to their safety. Local authorities have since registered a case regarding the matter.
This is not an isolated incident, as 2023 has now seen three such killings of tigers due to increasing man-animal conflicts in the region. Gunadeep Das, a senior forest official, revealed to the Times of India that the tiger died from multiple sharp wounds, indicating it wasn’t shot. The cat’s remains were collected under the oversight of a magistrate from the area where the gruesome act occurred.
Reports indicate that as many as a thousand people reportedly participated in the mob attack, with witnesses describing scenes of individuals striking the tiger with machetes. Following the incident, the carcass was sent for an autopsy to determine the full extent of the injuries. The grim images of the deceased tiger, shared on social media by Assam lawmaker Mrinal Saikia, have sparked outrage. He condemned the killing, emphasizing the shared responsibility humans have towards animals and asserting that strict measures will be taken against the perpetrators.
Another forest official, Sonali Ghosh, stated that the precise origins of the tiger remain uncertain, though the animal was killed approximately 20 kilometers away from Kaziranga National Park – a sanctuary renowned for its wildlife. While conservation efforts in Assam saw the population of tigers rise from 70 in 2006 to 190 in 2019, the increase in conflicts suggests a dire need for better strategies. As habitats shrink and protective corridors between parks diminish, such tragedies may become more commonplace.
Under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, tigers are a protected species, and illegal poaching or hunting is strictly prohibited. Despite this legal framework, the continued rise in man-animal conflict indicates a critical situation that demands urgent attention for both wildlife preservation and community safety.
This is not an isolated incident, as 2023 has now seen three such killings of tigers due to increasing man-animal conflicts in the region. Gunadeep Das, a senior forest official, revealed to the Times of India that the tiger died from multiple sharp wounds, indicating it wasn’t shot. The cat’s remains were collected under the oversight of a magistrate from the area where the gruesome act occurred.
Reports indicate that as many as a thousand people reportedly participated in the mob attack, with witnesses describing scenes of individuals striking the tiger with machetes. Following the incident, the carcass was sent for an autopsy to determine the full extent of the injuries. The grim images of the deceased tiger, shared on social media by Assam lawmaker Mrinal Saikia, have sparked outrage. He condemned the killing, emphasizing the shared responsibility humans have towards animals and asserting that strict measures will be taken against the perpetrators.
Another forest official, Sonali Ghosh, stated that the precise origins of the tiger remain uncertain, though the animal was killed approximately 20 kilometers away from Kaziranga National Park – a sanctuary renowned for its wildlife. While conservation efforts in Assam saw the population of tigers rise from 70 in 2006 to 190 in 2019, the increase in conflicts suggests a dire need for better strategies. As habitats shrink and protective corridors between parks diminish, such tragedies may become more commonplace.
Under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, tigers are a protected species, and illegal poaching or hunting is strictly prohibited. Despite this legal framework, the continued rise in man-animal conflict indicates a critical situation that demands urgent attention for both wildlife preservation and community safety.
