Tiger Kills Four Women While Collecting Tendu Leaves In Maharashtra’s Chandrapur

Four women lost their lives after being attacked by a tiger while they were collecting tendu leaves in a forested area of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra on Friday morning, officials said, in a tragic incident that has once again highlighted human wildlife conflict in the region.

The incident took place near Gunjewahi village in Sindewahi tehsil , around 70 km from the district headquarters. According to forest officials, the women had entered a forest patch early in the day to collect tendu leaves, which are widely used as natural wrappers for bidis.

While the group was engaged in collection work, a tiger attacked them , killing all four women. Officials said it is still not immediately clear whether the victims were attacked at the same spot and time or in separate instances during the incident.

The deceased have been identified as Kawadabai Mohurle (45), Anitabai Mohurle (40), Sunita Mohurle (38), and Sangita Chaudhary (50). All four were residents of Gunjewahi village.

After receiving information about the attack, forest department teams rushed to the site to assess the situation and begin necessary procedures. Chief Conservator of Forests (Chandrapur Circle) R M Ramanujan said that further clarity on the sequence of events would emerge after the completion of the panchnama and detailed investigation.

Authorities are also expected to review safety measures in forest fringe areas , where locals frequently enter for tendu leaf collection, especially during the season when such activity increases.