Covid reaches Tadoba doorstep, villagers complacent on tests, vax

Nagpur: Even as the second wave of Covid-19 has reached Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve’s (TATR) doorstep, villagers living on the fringes of the park seems to be complacent, are reluctant to get vaccinated and even conduct RT-PCR tests even if symptoms show up.
The casual approach of the people may affect tourism as most of them are dependent on the buffer and core tourism with jobs in resorts, guides, gypsy drivers etc. If tests and vaccination of locals is not done extensively there are chances of coronavirus spread.
Most of the such villages fall in Bhadravati and Chimur tehsils. TOI talked to several stakeholders and doctors who admit that there is fear in the minds of people that vaccination may result in complications and even death.
Dr Ashwin Aghade, paediatrician & nodal officer in Chimur, admits, “The situation is going from bad to worse. There are over 800 active cases and only 200 beds in Chimur Covid care centre (CCC) with no ventilator beds. Barring 15, all villages have positive cases in the tehsil.”
Dr Aghade adds, “We are a staff of 4 medical officers and 8 nurses catering to 265 gram panchayats at our sub-district hospital. There are 6 PHCs but Covid patients are not treated here due to lack of facilities. We have only 45 oxygen cylinders. The response of people to vaccination is poor even though over 6,000 have got vaccinated.”
There is even a mismatch of Covid cases. As per the nodal officer, Kolara, the nearest village near Tadoba, has reported 24 active cases but gram panchayat member Vinod Uikey says eight people have tested positive for Covid.
“Villagers are reluctant to do RT-PCR tests fearing that they will turn positive, have to get admitted and get no treatment. Of the 1,850 residents of Kolara, only 12 have taken the vaccines. Though awareness is being spread about vaccination, people fear it will create complications and lead to death,” said Uikey.
Satara-Bamangaon deputy sarpanch Gajanan Gudadhe said, “People are relying on ayurvedic medicines and preferring home quarantine. There are 10 positive cases in one family. The fact came to light only when one of the family members died due to Covid. The number of positives may be more in villages but no RT-PCR tests are done even if people show signs. They are also not ready to take the vaccine. We are spreading awareness on vaccination by convincing people and displaying banners.”
Madnapur village, 5km from Kolara, has seen 400 of 1200 residents getting vaccinated. “Our people walked 5km to take the vaccine at Masal PHC. Though there are not many positive cases, we don’t know how many people are affected as tests are not done,” said sarpanch Pooja Randaye.
Even Mohurli sarpanch Sunita Katkar admits there are many misconceptions about RT-PCR tests and getting vaccinated. “We have to literally fight with the people to take the vaccine. Of the 1,800 here, only 200 have taken vaccine in camps that too after threatening them with action. People are complacent and not all wear masks,” she said.
Katkar admits that health infrastructure has completely collapsed. “In the first wave, government vehicles used to ferry the positive. Now they ask us to bring them to the centre for admission. For entire Mohurli there is one oximeter. The fear of death after taking vaccine has derailed the drive,” she said.
On pandemic-hit villages close to the forest affecting animals, zoonoses disease expert Dr Ajay Poharkar says, “Though there is a regular interface of people with wildlife around Tadoba and both animals and people are prone to mutation, We can’t say without a scientific study how far it will affect wild animals.”
TATR field director Jitendra Ramgaonkar admits there is a need for a massive vaccination drive in villages in Mul, Bhadravati and Chimur tehsils surrounding Tadoba. “We will take special efforts to spread awareness by forest staff on vaccination in these villages. It is true that vaccination is low.”