Angry villagers lock forest dept office after Gaur attack

Kolhapur: Tension gripped Shirala tehsil on Thursday evening after a 65-year-old farmer was critically injured in a Gaur (Indian Bison) attack, sparking a massive protest that saw angry villagers lock down a local forest department office.The victim, Laxman Ramu Patil of Mandur village, was cutting sugar cane in his field when a Gaur, hidden among the stalks, charged at him. Patil sustained deep wounds and suffered profuse bleeding. He was initially rushed to a primary health centre but was later shifted to a private hospital in Karad, Satara district, where he remains in intensive care.The incident triggered immediate backlash from the community. Several villagers, including a large number of women, marched to the Forest Department's office in Varnavati. In a symbolic act of protest, they forced the staffers out and placed a lock on the main entrance, demanding a permanent solution to the rising frequency of wildlife attacks in the region.Local residents said Shirala has seen a sharp increase in both leopard and Gaur sightings recently, threatening both lives and livelihoods."The livelihood of our families is being destroyed by these recurring attacks," said Shobha Mane, sarpanch of Mandur. "If the forest department does not provide a concrete plan within seven days, we will launch a much more intense agitation. They must take immediate control of these wild animals."The protest drew several public representatives and social activists who expressed strong displeasure with the forest department's perceived inaction regarding the safety of farmers.Responding to the crisis, Snehlata Patil, deputy director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Chandoli), termed the incident "unfortunate" and confirmed that measures are being taken to address the specific animal involved."We have summoned a rescue team from Pune to capture and relocate the injured Gaur," Patil said. "We are also submitting a formal proposal to the higher office to address the broader conflict issues in this area."For now, the villagers have given the authorities a week's deadline to act, warning that the "wildlife menace" has reached a breaking point.