Tiger released in Rajasthan's Bundi, relief in Rewari villages

The two-and-a-half-year-old tiger that was rescued from the Jhabua Reserve Forest here on Sunday evening was finally released in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, Bundi (Rajasthan).

With this, residents of villages located around the Jhabua forest have started going to fields after sunset and before sunrise after 84 days.

The tiger had strayed into the Jhabua forest from the Sariska Tiger Reserve on August 17. It was the second time in the past 11 months when the tiger strayed into Jhabua.

“Keeping in view the straying of the same tiger twice this year, the government has changed his natural habitat so as to prevent him from straying again in future. The tiger was released at Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve at 5.30 am today following the government’s direction,” said Sariska Tiger Reserve field director Sangram Singh.

Earlier, the tiger strayed into some villages of Rewari district from Alwar in January. The big cat also attacked a forest guard of Rajasthan during the rescue operation in Bhatsana village here when the latter was locating him in a mustard field. Another official accompanying the guard also got unconscious during the incident.

“Any tiger cannot be released in the same habitat if he becomes habitual of straying from there, hence this time, habitat of the tiger has been changed so as to prevent him from straying again,” said a Rajasthan official.

Meanwhile, residents of around 10 villages located near Jhabua Reserve Forest are feeling relieved after the rescue of the tiger that used to hide in the dense forest during daytime and move at night.

“Finally, normalcy has returned to the area after 84 days. Villagers were seen in the fields last night and before sunrise today to do agricultural works without any fear. No one dared to venture out after sunset following the fear of the tiger. Even those working in private companies in Bawal town were avoiding returning to home after sunset,” said Meer Singh of Khijuri village here.