Tiger Dragged 25 Feet After Train Strike

Tragedy struck the Ratapani reserve as a tiger was killed on Tuesday night in an incident involving a special train near Budhni and Midghat. The animal was reportedly dragged 25 feet after being hit, a devastating consequence of its proximity to the railway line. This event marks the fifth tiger fatality in the reserve over the last year, underscoring the ongoing peril the Budhni-Midghat railway track presents to the area's vulnerable wildlife.

The preliminary investigation suggests the tiger was attempting to capture prey when the unfortunate collision occurred. Following the impact, the feline's distress calls alerted railway workers, who subsequently notified the forest department. The carcass was recovered and disposed of after a thorough post-mortem examination, conducted in the presence of senior forest officials, including the Chief Conservator of Forests.

Statistics reveal a disturbing trend, with the Budhni-Barkheda railway track alone accounting for the deaths of 10 tigers, 15 leopards, and two bears, among other wild animals, in the past decade. Madhya Pradesh, known for its rich tiger population, faces ongoing challenges in balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation efforts across its several tiger reserves.