Uttarakhand: Woman Attacked by Bear in Chamoli Forest, Rescued After Night in Critical Condition

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Chamoli/Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a terrifying incident in Chamoli district, a woman was viciously attacked by a bear while collecting grass in a forested area. The animal mauled her face severely, leaving her critically injured. Despite her condition, the woman bravely spent the entire night clinging to a tree for safety. She was found by villagers the next morning and airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment.

Incident Details

The victim, Rameshwari Devi (42), a resident of Pav village in Pokhri block, had gone into the nearby forest to collect grass. When she did not return home by afternoon, her family grew worried and, along with villagers, began searching for her. Locals discovered her tools—including a sickle, comb, and rope—abandoned in a single spot along the forest path, raising fears of a wild animal attack.

Rescue Operation

Due to concerns about wild animal presence, the initial search was temporarily halted. On Thursday morning, villagers resumed the search and found Rameshwari Devi seriously injured and covered in blood, hiding by a tree to protect herself from further attacks. She was immediately rescued and taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) for first aid. Given the severity of her injuries, she was then airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for specialized medical care.

Safety Concerns

This incident highlights the ongoing risks posed by wild animals in Uttarakhand’s forested areas, particularly in Chamoli, where human-wildlife encounters have been on the rise. Authorities have urged residents to exercise extreme caution while venturing into forests and advised immediate reporting of any attacks or suspicious wildlife activity.