Increased tiger sightings in the Kagaznagar Forest Division have led to a drastic reduction in open defaecation across interior villages. (Image: DC)
Adilabad: Increased tiger sightings in the Kagaznagar Forest Division have led to a drastic reduction in open defaecation across interior villages. Persistent tiger movement near rural settlements has instilled fear among residents, who now avoid going outdoors for such needs in the early morning or late evening.
A recent leopard attack on an Adivasi woman, Arka Bhoomabai (50), in Dedra village, Adilabad district, highlights the gravity of the threat. Bhoomabai, injured near her right eye and head, is currently receiving treatment at RIMS, Adilabad.
Villages including Gannaram, Peddabanda, Udikili, Dubbaguda, Vempalli, Bengali, Kolamguda, Areguda, Jyotinagar, and Cheelapelli — spread across Kagaznagar and Sirpur (T) mandals — have reported heightened caution. Residents now carry torches at night, venture out in groups for daily activities, and often assign a lookout to ensure their safety.
The shift in behaviour comes with its own challenges. Women, accustomed to defaecating outdoors for privacy, now face health issues by holding off for extended periods. Some men, who once preferred streams and rivulets for relaxation, now avoid these areas out of fear. Many villagers lack functional toilets, as some were never completed or lack water facilities, forcing them to rely on open spaces despite the risk.
While government programmes like Swachh Bharat Mission aimed to end open defaecation, the immediate fear of tiger attacks has been more effective in altering habits. Men now opt for areas closer to their homes, and women hesitate to step out in the early or late hours.
Locals like Kendre Balaji of Dhanora and Mohan Rao of Gannaram, confirm that the once-common practice of venturing far for open defaecation has sharply declined. This behavioural change follows recent incidents, including the fatal attack on Morle Laxmi in Gannaram on November 29.
With wildlife encroaching on human habitats, villagers are urging officials to address the root issues — both the need for safe sanitation facilities and measures to mitigate tiger threats — to restore a sense of security and normalcy in their daily lives.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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