The Himalayan state Uttarakhand also known as land of abode of Gods ” Devbhoomi” is primarily covered with 73 percent dense green forests full of serene natural beauty i.e. healthy flora and fauna. But despite this natural serene beauty n green densely populated forests man-eater attacks on human lives claimed more than 425 lives since 2018 according to conservative estimates with about 60 to 70 carnivores turned man-eater leopards killed as they posed a direct threat to human lives.
In Uttarakhand ‘s Garhwal n Kumaon regions the children, adolescent boys n girls, working women in agricultural fields n senior citizens are the worst victims of man-eater attacks who after sun set clandestinely but desperately looking for human flesh pounce upon them dragging their bodies to the safe places before eating them n finally leaving behind the dead bodies sending shock waves across the hilly state.
On Friday a news about three hired specialised killers of man eaters namely Joy Hukeel of Pauri, Lakhpat Singh Rawat from Gairsain and a sharp shooter Ajay Rawat of Forest department of Uttarakhand proved successful in finally gunning down a predator/ man-eater of Tharali Chamoli Garhwal who had created havoc in the area by killing two children ( girls ) of 13 and four year respectively on 29th May and 29th June creating quite a sensation and fear amongst the local populace.
The inhabitants of Tharali and adjoining areas have stopped moving out after five in the evening. The 13 year old girl was the daughter of village head of Gair Batam village n 4 year old girl of Maltura gaon who were killed by the same man-eater of Tharali, Chamoli district in a month’s time. ACCORDING TO THE latest news pouring in as per the version of Area Forest Officer Jugal Kishore this man-eater was killed within the distance of fifty metres where it had attacked n subsequently lynched the girls.
The people of Chamoli district especially of Tharali are now feeling extremely relieved of the impending tension n apprehensions created by the man-eater after killing two girls of 13 n 4 years within a month’s time. There are presently seven national parks n six national sanctuaries in Uttarakhand posing directly or indirectly immense threat to people’s lives.
In Uttarakhand road accidents and man-eater attacks have claimed several lives since centuries and the trend is still going on with children, women working in agricultural fields n senior citizens becoming extremely vulnerable to man-eater attacks. Uttarakhand had been the regular victim of natural disasters, wild fires on extensive scale during the peak summers and in monsoon seasons creating havoc through landslides followed by man-eater attacks. Due to the mass scale influx of population from villages to cities and metropolises for health n job avenues including quality education to their children the interior villages have become almost vacant giving these wild carnivores enter human habitats and attack human beings thus having the taste of human blood n thereafter becoming man-eaters. Moreover due to the enhanced construction activities like tunnels, highways, roads n buildings near or inside jungles with alleged large tree fellings the otherwise peaceful lives of the animals inside dense jungle have been disturbed thus compelling them to leave forests.
THE influx of majority human population to cities has resulted in lessening the number of domestic animals as well like buffaloes,cows, goats n dogs etc thus making flesh shortages for the carnivores like leopards etc. In such a scarcity situation they have no alternative but to make human beings their ultimate prey. In Uttarakhand these man eaters are on constant prowl for human flesh making their lives full of risks n danger.
Pic : Naveen M Raheja n social media
