By Admin 
The security arrangements have once again been exposed in the Gumtara core area under Chhindwara forest area of Pench Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. Kamal Uike, a 43-year-old villager who had gone fishing in the restricted ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’ area here, was attacked by a tiger and killed. While this incident has spread panic in the area, it has also raised serious questions on the patrolling and security monitoring of Pench Park management.
Deceased Kamal Uike, father Raoji Uike, resident of village Tikari Mal (police station Kurai), were missing since the evening of 4th January. The family members had informed the management on January 5 itself that Kamal often used to go fishing towards Mahadev Ghat on the banks of Pench river. On the morning of 6 January, Chand police station and forest department, during a search, found the mutilated body of Kamal near Mahadev Ghat. Seeing the condition of the dead body, it was clear that the tiger had made it its prey. The park management says that the young man had entered the restricted area by crossing the river in a boat.
Questions are being raised on the negligence of management
After this tragic accident, fingers are being raised on the functioning of the park management. The core area of Pench Tiger Reserve is considered to be the most sensitive, where even birds cannot kill. In such a situation, a villager took a boat and reached Mahadev Ghat through the river and remained present there for hours, but the patrol team of the department did not even get a clue about it. The question arises that if this area is ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’, then why were there no concrete arrangements to prevent illegal entry? Is park security limited to papers only?
Outrage among family members and departmental action
According to ACF Atul Pardhi, the youth had entered the restricted area where there is movement of tigers. Police recovered the body and sent it to Civil Hospital Chaurai for post-mortem. Although the department is talking about providing financial assistance as per the rules, there is anger among the villagers that such incidents are happening every day due to the laxity of the management. If surveillance on the river and ghats had been increased in time, perhaps this life could have been saved.