Canacona: Residents of villages near Cotigao wildlife sanctuary in Canacona have raised concerns over rising incidents of Indian bison (gaur) entering inhabited areas, damaging crops and creating traffic hazards on interior service roads.A forest official attributed the movement to habitat loss and food scarcity, which he said is pushing gaur closer to human settlements and increasing the risk of sudden encounters.On Saturday, a gaur crossed in front of two women riding a scooter on the Pansulemol–Tamnamol road near the Cotigao panchayat office. The women left the scooter and ran after noticing the animal by the roadside. With the incident occurring at sunset on a deserted, muddy stretch, they hid behind a tree and later took photographs of the gaur using a mobile phone.The animal did not attack, but the incident has heightened fear among locals, particularly students who regularly use the road. Residents have demanded deployment of forest guards on isolated interior routes to improve safety.Locals said they are accustomed to living near forested areas, but repeated sightings of large wild animals are frightening for children, reinforcing calls for protective measures from the authorities.
