Tiger Sighting in Kumbharli Ghat Sparks Stir; Confirms Fourth Tiger’s Presence in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Chiplun (Ratnagiri District):
A tiger sighting in Dhangarwadi village of Kumbharli Ghat, near Chiplun, has caused a stir among local residents and wildlife enthusiasts. Villagers spotted a striped tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) moving along a forested patch near the settlement, confirming the existence of a fourth tiger in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve region.

According to the Forest Department, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve officially hosts three tigers — one in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and two in Chandoli National Park. However, reports of tiger movement in the Chiplun-Kumbharli belt have been surfacing for the past few months.
Forest officials have now acknowledged the presence of a fourth tiger, which is believed to be using the forest corridor connecting Koyna and the Western Ghats.

🐾 Movement Confirmed by Camera Traps

Following multiple local sightings, the Forest Department has activated camera traps and pugmark tracking teams in the surrounding areas.
Preliminary findings show fresh pugmarks, scratch marks on trees, and a faint scent trail — strong indicators of a tiger’s recent presence.

A senior forest officer said:

“The tiger’s movement pattern indicates it is dispersing between Koyna and the dense valleys of Chiplun. It’s a healthy sign for the Sahyadri landscape — proof that the tiger population is naturally expanding.”

🌿 Local Fear and Precautionary Measures

The sighting has caused anxiety among Dhangar (shepherd) families who graze cattle in the forest areas. Forest guards have begun spreading awareness and advisories in nearby villages, asking residents to avoid venturing alone into forested zones after dark and to keep livestock enclosed at night.

Villagers, however, have expressed pride that the tiger population is reviving in the region — marking a new chapter in Sahyadri’s wildlife conservation story.