ANJUNEM: The pugmarks of a tigress and a cub were recently found again in the vicinity of the Anjunem Irrigation Project (AIP) reservoir indicating the presence of the big cat in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Assistant engineer of water resources department (WRD), associated with the AIP dam, M P Hudelgaddi said, "Our workers noticed the pugmarks of the big cats in the area on the left bank of the reservoir." Parshuram Kambli, a worker involved in water proofing work at the Anjunem dam, noticed the pugmarks.
In the last week of December 2010, when Pandurang Gawas and his father from Ghoteli no 2 of Sattari were returning from Chorla, they saw a tiger majestically crossing the road in the jungle of Ponsuli in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Security guards at the dam said, "For the last fortnight, specially during the nights, we are living under grave fear as the tiger comes repeatedly in the vicinity of the reservoir. We heard the roaring of the tiger during these days."
In the last week, Harishchandra Narayan Gawas from Halitwada-Keri who was on a morning walk, had to return halfway from his destination since he heard the tiger roar.
Hudelgaddi informed the deputy conservator of forests, North Goa division, G T Kumar about the pugmarks of the big cat. Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "Our officials will document these pugmarks and necessary action in the matter will be taken."
Parshuram Kambli said, "Early in the morning and late in evening, the jungle here witnesses the sounds of herbivorous animals like bison, barking deer and other deer. During this time carnivorous animals like tigers come out in search of prey. Beside the pugmarks of a tigress and a cub, the area has the pugmarks of deer also."
In 2009, assistant conservator of forests, Ponda, Subhash Henrique, had noticed the pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in the vicinity of AIP reservoir. In 2010, the tiger census conducted by the forest department had recorded the pugmarks of the tiger in the submerged Kelavade village.
