Electric snares pose life threat to tigers in Telangana
Out of total 10, at least four electrocution deaths occurred since 2010 in Adilabad
Adilabad: Electrified fences installed in agricultural fields are now turning out to be a major threat for tigers in Telangana. The traps set up with live electric wires to ward off wild boars are claiming tigers and caught in a dilemma are the Forest Department officials, who were found fault with as they fail to check the new menace to wild animals.
According to information available with the authorities, nearly 10 tigers were killed in the erstwhile Adilabad district from 2010 to till date. At least four of them were electrocuted in the last ten years. A tiger fell prey to poachers at Shivvaram of Jaipur mandal in 2019. Another big cat was killed by the poachers at Pembi forest range of Nirmal district in 2018, while one tiger was electrocuted near a stream in Kotapalli in 2016, the data says.
Earlier, a tiger was killed by poachers using an electric snare at Papanpet village in Bejjur mandal in 2010. The hide of the big cat was recovered from poachers at Hetiguda village in Bejjur mandal in 2016 and another hide was seized at Utupalli village in Kaghaznagar mandal in 2011. These two tigers were also believed to be electrocuted when they were moving in the wild in search of shelter and prey.
In the latest instance, a male tiger living in Tippeshwar Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra was found to have died when it came in contact with an electric fence fixed for preventing the entry of wild boars at an agriculture field on the outskirts of Hirapur village in 2020.
Apathy by foresters
“The increasing incidents of electrocution of tigers indicate that the foresters are not inspecting the habitats of the tigers and fringes of the forests where the electric snares are laid by hunters. The negligence on the part of certain officials is proving costly for tigers, which move from Maharashtra to the forests of Telangana,” a retired forester remarked.
Funds to the tune of Rs 20.15 crore were spent for the conservation of the tigers in Kawal Tiger Reserve, which encompasses 2,105 square kilometres in erstwhile Adilabad district. But, the authorities are failing to take steps to prevent the recurrence of electrocution deaths of wild animals. Environmentalists hope that the latest poaching would serve as a wakeup call for the officials concerned.
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .
