Almost 3 years on, man-tiger conflict resurfaces at Golaulim

Keri: In January 2020, four tigers were found to have died due to poisoning at Golaulim in Sattari, in proximity to the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The death came soon after repeated attacks by the big cats were reported on the cattle of a family living in Golaulim.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant had then assured the relocation of the Pavane family following the tragic and unprecedented tiger deaths in Goa. However, recently, in a repeat of earlier events, a she-buffalo belonging to the same Pavane family was found attacked by a tiger and injured.
The tiger injured the milch buffalo at Golaulim in Dongurli-Thane panchayat area, indicating man-tiger conflict yet again. The she-buffalo, belonging to Vitho Pavane, had just given birth to a young one, and was attacked by a tiger roaming in the the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and vicinity.
In 2019-20, the four tigers were found killed by poisoning when domesticated animals belonging to the pastoral Pavane family, were repeatedly attacked and killed by the big cats. Forest officials said that they have moved quickly to extend help to the Pavanes.
“As soon as I got the information, the veterinarian was brought from Valpoi and the necessary treatment was immediately given to the buffalo. We have also deployed staff to patrol the area and monitor the movements of the big cat on a regular basis,” said range forest officer of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Deepak Tandel.
Deputy conservator of forests, wildlife, North Goa, Anand Jadhav, said, “I visited Vitho Pavane on Friday and assured him of necessary assistance, while convincing him to render protection to the tigers, which he agreed to offer. We will take all possible mitigation measures for the protection and conservation of the big cats. During the monsoon, tigers prefer to reside in the upper reaches of the Mhadei region and after that, they move in downward areas.”
Though the chief minister in 2020 had assured to relocate the Pavane family, no steps have been taken so far, and the domesticated animals of Dhangar families living close to the sanctuary are becoming repeated targets of tiger attacks.
Wildlifers have urged the government to take needful steps on priority for the protection of tigers along with their natural habitat.