In Maan village, located within the Kankumbi forest area of Khanapur taluk, a farmer sustained critical injuries following a bear attack on Monday. Sakharam Mahadev Gaonkar, 63, a resident of Maan, was attacked while working on his farmland alongside his wife.
The sudden assault by two bears left Sakharam severely injured, while his wife managed to escape unscathed. He was immediately transported to a hospital in Belagavi, where his condition remains critical.
A Kankumbi forest officer has inspected the site. With bear encounters rising during winter, the forest department has advised farmers to stay alert and adopt safety measures when working near forested areas.
