LUCKNOW: A woman sustained serious injuries and her husband was also hurt after a tiger allegedly attacked a motorcycle-borne couple near the Bichhia Barrier in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary area on Sunday, officials said, raising fresh concerns over increasing big cat movement near human habitations.The incident took place near a culvert around 100 metres from the Bichhia Barrier in the Motipur range of the Katarniaghat forest area. According to local residents, the couple was travelling from Bichhia towards Mihipurwa when a tiger suddenly emerged from the forest and attacked them.The victims have been identified as Sushila (around 30) and her husband Janardan (around 40), residents of Karikot village in the Narayantara area. The impact of the attack caused them to lose control of their motorcycle and fall onto the road. Sushila sustained serious injuries, while Janardan was also injured.Passers-by and other motorists who witnessed the incident raised an alarm and created loud noise, forcing the tiger to retreat into the forest. The injured woman was taken to the Community Health Centre in Mihipurwa for treatment.Local residents said tiger movement near the Bichhia Barrier has increased over the past week, with multiple sightings and attempted attacks reported, causing fear among villagers and commuters.Following the incident, forest and police teams stepped up surveillance in the area. Katarniaghat Range Officer Ashish Gaur said a joint team of forest staff and Sujauli police personnel had been deployed near the Bichhia Barrier and was conducting regular patrolling and alerting commuters.Forest officials have advised people to avoid travelling alone through forest stretches, especially during early morning and evening hours, and to remain cautious while passing through the sanctuary area.The incident has once again highlighted concerns over rising human-wildlife conflict in the Katarniaghat landscape, which is part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve ecosystem.
