Tiger movement in Telangana: No sightings in villages, no threat to humans so far, says Forest Dept

Hyderabad: The Telangana Forest Department has intensified monitoring and safety measures following the movement of tigers through agricultural lands and village surroundings in several districts of the State.

Officials clarified that despite frequent movement across human-dominated landscapes, there has been no direct sighting of any tiger inside villages and no threat to human life so far.

Tiger movement across districts

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (FAC) Kshitija said that in recent weeks, tiger movement has been recorded in districts including Peddapally, Karimnagar, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Siddipet and Yadadri.

Forest officials said such dispersal is part of natural wildlife behaviour, particularly among tigers moving in search of territory.

Round-the-clock monitoring

District Forest Officers (DFOs) have deployed forest staff for 24×7 surveillance and tracking of tiger movement, strictly following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Teams are continuously monitoring pugmarks and movement patterns and alerting villagers in advance about possible routes taken by the animal.

Coordination with district administration

To ensure public safety, DFOs are coordinating closely with District Collectors and Superintendents of Police.

Police personnel are being deployed at cattle kill sites to control crowds and maintain law and order, allowing forest teams to focus on monitoring the tiger and preventing any untoward incidents.

Preventive measures in villages

District Panchayat Officers have been instructed to caution villagers against unnecessary movement in sensitive areas and to promptly share information with forest officials.

The Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has also been asked to identify and remove illegal electric lines and live wires in agricultural fields to prevent electrocution risks to wildlife, people and livestock.

Tiger avoiding human contact

Forest officials stressed that although the tiger has been moving near human habitations, it has not been directly seen by villagers.

“The animal is consciously avoiding human contact and does not pose a threat to human life,” officials said.

Expert support and preparedness

A multi-disciplinary monitoring committee has been constituted in each affected forest circle, headed by Conservators of Forests, with veterinarians, wildlife experts, NGOs and Panchayat Raj representatives as members.

A wildlife expert and veterinarian from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra recently visited affected areas and provided technical inputs, which are being implemented.

Emergency response on standby

Tiger trap cages from Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, are kept ready for deployment if trapping becomes unavoidable. Veterinary teams equipped with tranquilising gear from zoological parks and tiger reserves are on standby to respond quickly if required.

Experienced tiger trackers from Kawal and Amrabad Tiger Reserves are also on alert to assist in monitoring and tracking operations.

Technology and state-level guidance

Thermal drones will be deployed during night hours to track tiger movement.

In addition, the Forest Department is constituting a state-level technical group with experts from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority to provide timely guidance on tiger dispersal and other wildlife-related issues.

Public awareness and media appeal

Awareness programmes are being conducted repeatedly in affected areas to educate the public on safety protocols during such incidents.

The Forest Department has also urged the media to report responsibly by presenting verified facts and helping create positive awareness, enabling both the public and officials to manage the situation.