JAIPUR– A 60-year-old priest was mauled to death by a tiger inside the historic Ranthambore Fort on Monday morning, marking the third fatal tiger attack in the area in just two months and igniting widespread public outrage.
The victim, identified as Radheshyam Saini, a longtime resident of Sherpur village, had served at the Jain temple inside the fort for over 20 years. According to initial reports, he was on his usual morning routine when he was suddenly attacked by the tiger.
The incident has left the local community in shock and anger. In response, residents blocked the Sawai Madhopur–Kundera road, accusing the Forest Department of negligence and failure to implement effective safety measures, despite multiple recent attacks in the area.
Villagers pointed out that the Forest Department had issued an advisory just a day earlier, warning civilians to avoid the fort due to increased tiger activity—but the warning, they say, came too late. They are now demanding adequate compensation for the priest’s family and stronger safety protocols to protect those living and working near the reserve.
This latest incident follows two previous deadly attacks in the immediate vicinity. On April 21, a 7-year-old boy was killed by tigress Kanakati near the Trinetra Ganesh temple. The child had been returning home with his grandmother when the tigress emerged from the forest and snatched him. The attack occurred in the Amarai forest area.
On May 12, a forest ranger lost his life while patrolling near Jogi Mahal in Zone 3 of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The tiger ambushed him near the Chhoti Chhatri area, fatally injuring him and remaining near the body for nearly 20 minutes before being driven off.
All three attacks—April 21, May 12, and June 9—have taken place within a two-kilometer radius of Ranthambore Fort, raising serious concerns about human safety in the region.
Wildlife experts and conservationists say the pattern of concentrated attacks is alarming and demands immediate intervention. Proposals include relocating certain tigers and imposing stricter limits on human access to vulnerable areas.
As the local community mourns the loss of the priest, pressure is mounting on forest authorities to take decisive action to prevent further tragedy and curb the rising human-wildlife conflict in and around Ranthambore National Park. (Source: IANS)
