Nagpur: In a tragic human-wildlife conflict incident, a shepherd was mauled to death by a tiger in the Deolapar forest range near Lodha village. The deceased has been identified as Balkaram Krushnaji Dhoble, a resident of Lodha.

According to forest officials, Dhoble had taken his cattle into the jungle for grazing on June 30, 2025, but failed to return by 5 PM. Concerned villagers and forest staff immediately launched a search operation in Compartment No. 475 of the Lodha Reserved Forest (RF). Despite extensive patrolling until midnight, Dhoble could not be located due to dense forest cover and onset of darkness.

The search resumed early on July 1 at 5 AM, with the help of forest officials and police personnel. Around 12:30 PM, the team discovered Dhoble’s mutilated body in the same forest compartment. Tiger pugmarks were clearly visible near the scene, suggesting a tiger attack. Forest officials immediately installed trap cameras in the vicinity to monitor the big cat’s movement.

The deceased’s body was shifted to Deolapar Rural Hospital for postmortem examination. After completion of formalities, the remains were handed over to the family for the last rites.

As per compensation norms under the Wildlife Protection guidelines, the next of kin of the deceased were handed a cheque of ₹10 lakh by Dr. Vinita Vyas (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nagpur (Territorial Division). The compensation was officially presented by local representatives, including former Panchayat Samiti President Chandrakant Kodwate, ex-Zilla Parishad Member Shantatai Kumre, and Wadamba Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Mukesh Dubey.

Dr. Vyas has directed increased patrolling and monitoring in the area to prevent further human-wildlife conflict and to track the movement of the suspected tiger.