4 women killed in tiger attack while collecting tendu leaves in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur

Four women were killed after being attacked by a tigress and her cubs in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district on Friday morning while they were collecting tendu leaves in a forest near Gunjewahi village. The incident occurred in the Sindewahi forest range under the Bramhapuri forest division and marks a continuing pattern of human-wildlife conflict in the region.

According to forest department officials, the victims were identified as Sangeeta Choudhary (50), Kawdabai Mohurle (45), Anubai Mohurle (40), and Sunita Mohurle (38), all residents of Gunjewahi village. The women had entered the adjoining forest area early in the morning along with a larger group for tendu leaf collection, a seasonal livelihood activity in the region.

Officials said the attack is suspected to have been carried out by a tigress along with three sub-adult cubs. The women were reportedly deep inside the forest when they were attacked, while other members of the group managed to escape after raising an alarm. Forest authorities said tendu leaf collection takes place between April and June and involves regular movement of villagers into forest zones.

Following the incident, forest department teams and local police reached the site, carried out a panchnama, and intensified search operations to trace the animal using surveillance systems. Authorities have deployed multiple camera traps and live-monitoring cameras in the area and imposed restrictions on forest entry until further notice.

Officials said immediate financial assistance of ₹25,000 was provided to each victim’s family, with further compensation to be released later. The department has also warned villagers against entering forest areas due to known movement of a tigress and her cubs, while investigations continue into the exact circumstances of the attack.