Kotdwar, Nov 14 (PTI) A woman was killed in a bear attack in Dugadda area of Pauri district on Saturday after she entered a forest to collect cattle fodder, officials said.
The incident sparked outrage among locals who alleged that despite informing the forest department about the presence of two bears in the area, no concrete action had been taken.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 12.30 pm near Charekh village, when Anjana Devi, accompanied by four women, had gone into the forest — some 500 metres from her home — to collect fodder for her cow.
According to witnesses, a bear emerged from the bushes and attacked Anjana Devi, and began dragging her away.
Seeing this, the other women raised an alarm. Startled by the noise, the bear let go of Anjana Devi and fled into the forest.
The woman sustained severe injuries to her neck and abdomen and was subsequently rushed to Government Base Hospital, Kotdwar, where doctors declared her dead.
A villager, Shekhar Singh, said bear movement near human habitations has been a recurring bane in the region. Last year, a bear had attacked and injured a labourer in the same area.
Another villager, Narendra Singh, said their daily lives are severely disrupted by frequent animal attacks.
Upon receiving information, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sandeep Kumar and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tarun S arrived at the hospital.
Kumar told PTI that the issue of the bear menace raised by locals will be addressed urgently.
The DFO said ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh has been provided to the husband of the deceased woman, an Anganwadi worker. PTI DPT ARB
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