Terror on the Cot: Bandhavgarh Tiger Attacks Local

New Delhi, December 30, 2025: A typical Monday morning turned into a scene of terror and disbelief for the residents of Chhoti Beldi village. Located on the fringes of the world-renowned Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the village became the site of a rare and heart-stopping encounter when an adult tiger strayed into human settlement, attacked a resident, and then took an unlikely nap on a villager’s porch.

A Morning of Terror

The drama began around 10:00 AM on December 29, 2025, when the tiger was first spotted lurking near the agricultural fields of the Panpatha buffer zone. As word spread, panicked villagers attempted to drive the predator back toward the forest using sticks and loud shouts.

The strategy backfired. Feeling cornered, the big cat turned aggressive. In a swift, terrifying pounce, it attacked Gopal Kol, a 25-year-old local. Witnesses described the tiger knocking Kol to the ground with a single swipe, causing severe injuries to his leg. He was rushed to a hospital in the neighboring Katni district, where he is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

The “Guest” on the Cot

Following the attack, the tiger sought refuge from the growing crowd. It wandered into the home of Durga Prasad Dwivedi, but it didn’t stop in the yard. In a surreal moment captured on mobile cameras and now viral on social media, the tiger entered the house and settled comfortably on a charpoy (traditional jute cot).

While the tiger sat “pretty” on the furniture, the Dwivedi family was forced to scramble onto their rooftop, where they remained for hours, watching the massive predator occupy their living space.

The Eight-Hour Standby

Forest officials, police, and revenue department teams arrived by 10:30 AM to cordoned off the area. The challenge was immense: capturing a stressed, 400-pound predator in a densely populated village without causing further injury to the animal or the public.

• The Strategy: Wildlife Health Officers and trained trackers monitored the tiger’s behavior throughout the afternoon.
• The Capture: It wasn’t until approximately 6:00 PM that a specialized team from Bandhavgarh successfully tranquilized the tiger.
• The Relocation: Once sedated, the tiger was safely moved to the Baherha enclosure within the reserve for health assessments and behavioral monitoring.

A Growing Conflict

This incident highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict near Bandhavgarh, which boasts one of the highest tiger densities in India. Field Director Anupam Sahay confirmed that the tiger is under observation and will be relocated according to NTCA protocols.

“Wild animals frequently move through buffer zones,” officials noted. “Residents are advised to avoid surrounding or provoking straying animals and to alert the forest department immediately.”

The village has since returned to a quiet, albeit cautious, state. For the residents of Chhoti Beldi, the image of a tiger lounging on a bed is a story that will be told for generations—a stark reminder of the thin line between the wild and the domestic.