Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh | August 19, 2026
A villager was seriously injured after a tiger attacked him near his farm in a village adjoining Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, officials said.
The victim, Santosh Meshram of Kareli village, had gone to his farm near the forest when the tiger suddenly attacked him. He sustained injuries to his head and both hands and was taken to Baihar Hospital, where doctors said his condition was stable but required close monitoring because of the head injuries.
According to Kanha National Park Additional Director Sunil Pandre, villagers carrying sticks rushed towards the animal and made loud noises, forcing the tiger to retreat into the forest. Forest officials are now closely monitoring the tiger’s movements.
Third tiger attack in Balaghat this month
The incident is the third reported tiger attack in Balaghat district this month, underlining growing concerns among communities living around the Kanha landscape.
On August 2, a woman, Sugni Bai, was killed after a tiger entered her home in Parrapur Baigatola village while she was sleeping. On August 10, another resident, Devkaram Baghmare, was killed in a tiger attack in the Khairlanji forest range.
The latest attack has again highlighted the challenges faced by villages located along the forest boundary. With agricultural fields and settlements closely adjoining tiger habitat, encounters can occur when people enter or work near forested areas.
Forest officials are continuing surveillance of the tiger and have urged residents to exercise caution around forest edges and avoid approaching areas where the animal has been sighted.
The repeated incidents underline the need for effective early-warning systems, monitoring of tiger movements and rapid response mechanisms to reduce the risk of further conflict while ensuring the protection of the tiger and its habitat.
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