Farmer Killed in Tiger Attack, Safari Halted

By The Vagabond News Bureau | November 8, 2025

BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH — A 55-year-old farmer was killed early Friday in a tiger attack near Bandhavgarh National Park, triggering panic among nearby villages and forcing authorities to suspend all tiger safaris until further notice.

The victim, identified as Ramchandra Patel, was reportedly working alone in a paddy field near Manpur village, about three kilometers from the park’s buffer zone, when the tiger struck.

The Hunt for the Predator

According to forest officials, pugmarks and camera trap images indicate the tiger to be a young adult male that may have strayed out of the reserve in search of prey.
Three forest teams equipped with tranquilizer guns, drones, and night-vision cameras have been deployed to track the big cat.

“The tiger is likely hiding in a sugarcane field nearby. We’ve cordoned off the area and urged villagers to stay indoors,”
said Ranger Deepak Sahu, leading the search.

Tourism Takes a Hit

Following the incident, Bandhavgarh authorities temporarily halted all safaris across the Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli zones. Dozens of tourists were turned back at the park gate as rescue teams began the tracking operation.

District Collector A.K. Tripathi said the suspension would continue until experts confirm it is safe to reopen.

“Public safety takes priority over tourism revenue,” he noted.

Rising Human–Wildlife Conflict

This is the third fatal tiger attack near Bandhavgarh this year, part of a disturbing pattern of man-animal conflict in the region.
Wildlife experts blame encroachment, deforestation, and shrinking prey base for forcing tigers closer to human settlements.

Conservationist Anita Pandey told The Vagabond News,

“We can’t keep blaming the animal. It’s losing space, food, and safety. Without community buffer management, this cycle won’t stop.”

Compensation and Relief

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has announced ₹10 lakh compensation to the victim’s family under the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Scheme.
Officials have also begun a survey of vulnerable villages surrounding the reserve to install new fencing and solar lighting.