Lakhimpur Kheri, Aug. 7 -- The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve's buffer zone is grappling with an acute shortage of frontline staff even as human-wildlife conflict continues to intensify across its nine forest ranges.

Spread over nearly 70,000 hectares, the buffer zone has recorded 72 deaths and 180 injuries in wild animal attacks since the 2021-22 financial year, with leopards accounting for most of the incidents. Seven deaths and 18 injuries have been reported in the current financial year alone, while crocodile attacks have claimed 11 lives and injured 29 people during the period.

Despite the growing challenge, the department is functioning with barely half its sanctioned strength of forest guards. Against 52 sanctioned posts, only 27 guards ar...