At last count nearly 20 persons fell prey to the panthers. The danger is faced by more hamlets including Vanicha Pada, Chapyacha Pada, Kelti Pada, Nava Pada, Khadak Pada, Gaumdevi Pada and Khambacha Pada.

Two months ago, Gangabai Kirkire (35) was returning to her hut in Akrachi Bhati. She never reached. Two days later, neighbours found her half-eaten body. Injuries and paw marks around the dead body indicated that a panther had attacked her. In another case, two-year-old son of another adivasi Dashrath Bhovare was picked up by a panther even as his mother was busy cooking inside. Raju Varthe (35), Laxmi Varthe (40) and Shanker Barak (35) are other victims of the big cats. These deaths occurred in thelast five years, according to Jaag, a social organisation working among the adivasis in the park.

The adivasis, who claimed to be living in the park for generations, said the panthers visit their hamlets almost everyday, any time after dusk. ``We have to stay indoors after sunset. Even our cattle and domestic animals have to be kept inside,'' said a tribal, Tukaram Umbarsale.

This unrelenting mortal danger, however, has failed to move the park authorities. In fact, they have not maintained any record of the deaths caused by animals inside the park. Speaking to Express Newsline, Deputy Forest Conservator (DFC) A R Bharati said he has no knowledge of any tribals staying inside the park area. ``There are settlements only on the fringes of the forest,'' he insisted.

Hence, protection to the endangered tribals would be least of their worries. Bharati blames the diminishing prey base for the carnivores and also the park's topography. ``As of now there are no plans to increase the prey base,'' headded.

Vitthal Lad of Jaag recalled a complaint made to the then DFC V K Walke in 1991. ``He advised the tribals to get lights installed at different spots to keep the panthers away and get their hamlets fenced. He knew full well that they are too poor to even feed themselves,'' he added.

According to environmentalist Sanjay Monga, a balanced prey base could be a solution to the problem. ``Till 1940, tigers roamed the park. This means the tiger population sustained on the existing prey base until they were hunted out in the 1970s. Now, the humans make an easy prey for panthers,'' he added.