Tiger Stalks the Hills: Buffalo Slain Near Semiliguda, Villagers on Edge

In the quiet hamlet of Jharaput, tucked under the Rajput Panchayat of Semiliguda block, life has taken a nervous turn. Two days ago a buffalo, part of the villagers’ modest livestock herd, fell prey to a tiger prowling the nearby hill.

Earlier that evening a handful of residents had taken their cattle, goats and the unlucky buffalo up the hill for grazing. When they started back down, a desperate, guttural cry echoed from the ridge. Darkness was already settling, and fear kept them from turning back.

At first light the next morning, a few brave souls trekked up the slope. What they found was grim – the carcass of the buffalo, its hindquarters gnawed away, a stark reminder that a large predator was lurking close by.

The villagers promptly alerted the Semiliguda Forest Range. Forest Officer Sushant Kumar Dalai, along with his team, arrived on the spot, examined the remains and set up camera traps at several strategic points to watch the animal’s movements.

After a careful assessment, officials confirmed the culprit: a tiger, most likely wandering in from an adjoining forest area. Two special response teams from the Semiliguda Forest Department have now been stationed to monitor the tiger around the clock.

Divisional Forest Officer Siddhartha Jain, Assistant Conservor Jagannath Prasad Bishoi and other senior staff visited the village, spoke with residents and stressed that panic would only make things worse. They reminded everyone to follow National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines – no roaming after dark, keep livestock in secured enclosures and report any sightings instantly.

To spread the word, the forest department has been broadcasting alerts through loudspeakers in surrounding villages, urging people to stay safe while also respecting the tiger’s habitat. Rapid response teams and field staff are now on continuous patrol, mapping the animal’s path and ready to intervene if necessary.

The message to the public is clear: avoid forested zones after sunset, stay vigilant, and immediately inform the nearest forest official of any tiger tracks or unusual activity. Authorities are confident that with cooperation, the situation can be managed without further tragedy.