CHANDRAPUR: A 42-year-old farmer, Govardhan Dange, from Nandgaon Jani village of Brahmapuri taluka fought off a tiger and lived to tell the story. His unbelievable bravery made him a local hero with villagers now affectionately calling him ‘Mr Natwarlal‘, reminiscent of the blockbuster Bachchan-starrer.
The presence of tigers in villages bordering north Brahmapuri Forest Range is a common occurrence, so much so their roars no longer startle locals. Nandgaon Jani village is located on the fringe of forests under North Bramhapuri range.
However, Sunday turned out to be a battle for life for Dange. He started the day with a routine task – irrigating his paddy field – but it soon turned into a matter of survival.
While Dange was busy in his farm, a tiger crouching in the vicinity, pounced on him catching him completely off guard. But instead of freezing in fear, he fought back with all his might.
The tiger buried its canines into Govardhan Dange’s cheek, leaving a long tear. But Dange refused to give up. The struggle continued for 10 minutes with Dange suffering multiple injuries.
He managed to wriggle out of the big cat’s clutches, spotted a nearby well and scaled down into it, saving himself from further attack. From the safety of the well, he immediately called his son for help.
By the time his son and other villagers arrived, the tiger had retreated into the forest. Forest officials rushed Dange to a rural hospital, where he received medical treatment and is now in stable condition. His incredible escape has become the talk of the village, with people in awe of his courage. Villagers now salute this real-life ‘Mr Natwarlal’ for his bravery.
Chandrapur district, home to over 900 villages located in the fringe of dense forests, frequently reports human-wildlife conflict. The Brahmapuri region, in particular, has witnessed a rise in tiger and leopard encounters, especially because of summer heat and water sources going dry, pushing wildlife closer to human habitation.
For Dange, the experience was nothing short of a brush with death. While his bravery has earned him widespread admiration, it also serves as a stark reminder of the increasing conflict between humans and wildlife in the region.
