Forest officials raise alarm over 1.32 lakh acre encroachment in Kawal Tiger Reserve

Encroachment of forest lands in Kawal Tiger Reserve has reached alarming levels. Forest officials warn that both tribal and non-local encroachments are endangering tiger habitats, especially in core zones like Palaghori. Arrests have been made, and authorities are considering stricter legal action to stem the crisis.

Adilabad: Encroachment of forest lands in Kawal Tiger Reserve has emerged as a major concern, with Forest officials warning of serious threats to wildlife conservation, particularly tigers.

According to official data, 1.32 lakh acres of the reserve have been encroached between 2015 and 2025, allegedly by local tribals. In addition, 1.16 lakh acres are under cultivation by tribals who were allotted land titles in recent years.

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In a worrying trend, non-locals and landholders are now allegedly targeting reserve forest areas, further complicating conservation efforts.

As many as 26 persons from Sirpur (U), Lingapur, Kerameri, Narnoor and Jainoor mandals of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district were arrested for occupying the core zone of the reserve by setting up huts and felling nearly 400 trees in the Palaghori area between 2023 and 2025.

A Forest Department survey revealed that 36,015 hectares (88,995 acres) of forest land were encroached in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district in the last three years, while Adilabad district lost 79,852 acres. Officials said a significant portion of the forest was grabbed by non-locals and non-tribals.

“Some greedy non-locals and even landholders in revenue areas are encroaching forest lands. In the Palaghori case, accused persons already owned three acres each in their villages, yet they grabbed land in the core reserve, disturbing tiger movement,” a senior official said.

Officials warned that encroachments were devastating forests and wildlife, making tiger conservation increasingly difficult. “Tigers avoid noisy and disturbed landscapes. If such activities continue, they will leave the forests,” an official added.

Forest authorities suggested that booking offenders under non-bailable sections might help curb the menace, as current practices of securing bail from police stations were only encouraging further encroachments.